Taitung weather delays arrival of new F-16V fighter jets

The highly anticipated arrival of Taiwan's first new F-16V (Block 70) fighter jets at the Zhihang Base in Taitung has been delayed due to inclement weather. The aircraft, part of the "Phoenix Project," were originally scheduled to land on the afternoon of August 23rd.

However, a low-pressure system has brought intense convective activity to eastern Taiwan and the Pacific flight path, resulting in continuous adverse weather. Heavy rain, strong winds, and extremely poor visibility have created conditions far below the safety standards required for new aircraft to land. Military sources have indicated that the jets are unlikely to arrive as planned on Sunday.

The poor weather has also deterred the usual crowds of military enthusiasts who gather at vantage points outside the base to photograph the new aircraft. Civilian flights to and from Taitung's Fengnian Airport have also been canceled, with some flights unable to land and forced to return. The delay marks a setback for the final leg of the jets' trans-oceanic journey from South Carolina, with the new arrival schedule now uncertain.