Taiwan Receives First New F-16V Fighter Jets From United States
The arrival of the advanced warplanes strengthens the island's air defenses against Chinese military pressure despite delays and questions about American arms commitments.
Taiwan took delivery of its first two newly built F-16V Block 70 fighter jets on Friday when the aircraft touched down at Chihhang Air Base in eastern Taitung County. The warplanes are the first of 66 ordered from the United States under an $8 billion contract approved in 2019.
The two single-seat aircraft landed around noon local time after staging through Hawaii and Guam. The planes left the United States in August but faced weeks of delays during transit. The delivery will eventually expand Taiwan's total F-16 fleet to more than 200 aircraft.
Speaking to reporters at parliament, Defense Minister Wellington Koo said Taiwan will receive additional F-16V fighters before the end of the year. Koo said eastern Taiwan remains a key location to preserve combat capabilities, though he declined to provide operational details.
The aircraft feature upgraded avionics, active electronically scanned array radars, and modern weapons systems. Taiwan relies on the planes to monitor Chinese military aircraft that fly near the island almost daily. Beijing claims Taiwan as Chinese territory and has threatened to use force to seize control.
The arrival comes after repeated delivery delays caused by software problems and supply chain issues. Initial deliveries were scheduled to begin in 2023.
The delivery also follows unease in Taipei regarding future American defense assistance. President Donald Trump said in May that he placed a separate $14 billion arms package for Taiwan in abeyance. However, the State Department and Taiwanese defense officials stated that United States policy toward Taiwan has not changed.
The Taiwan Air Force said it will now conduct acceptance inspections, conversion training, and operational preparations for the two new fighters.
