New F-16V Fighter Jets
Taiwan receives its first two advanced F-16V fighter jets amid mounting military pressure from China.
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Key Points
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Taiwan’s 66-jet procurement is part of the Air Force’s “Peace Phoenix Soaring” project, budgeted at NT$247.2 billion (about US$8 billion) for 2020–2026. The purchase followed Taiwan’s decision to drop an earlier bid for F-35B fighters, partly because of their high acquisition and maintenance costs.
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The jets had been expected to arrive in early September, but local media reported that they turned back to Hawaii shortly after departing for Guam; no official explanation for the reported turnback was given.
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Taiwanese aviation enthusiast Kimi Chi welcomed the aircraft’s improved hardware but said the military’s more immediate shortfall was pilots, calling for better allowances to attract and retain them.
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Taiwan’s defense minister said the government had repeatedly received U.S. assurances that Washington’s policy toward Taiwan had not changed, even as the island still had a backlog of previously ordered weapons awaiting delivery.
Taiwan has received its first two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets from the United States after years of delays tied to software, production, and supply-chain issues NTD. The delivery marks the start of a 66-aircraft purchase worth roughly $8 billion, intended to bolster the island's air defenses against Chinese military pressure Times of India.
The original year-end delivery target for all 66 jets will not be met, though Taiwan's defense minister said more aircraft are expected before year's end The Epoch Times. The purchase comes as Taipei awaits a separate $14 billion U.S. arms package that President Donald Trump has placed on hold, raising concerns about the pace of American weapons deliveries Times of India.
A Decade-Long Wait for Modern Fighter Jets
Taiwan ordered the 66 F-16Vs in 2019 as part of its "Peace Phoenix Soaring" project, budgeted at NT$247.2 billion (about $8 billion) for 2020–2026 NTD. The purchase followed Taipei's decision to abandon an earlier bid for F-35B fighters, partly because of their high acquisition and maintenance costs NTD.
The jets were originally expected to arrive in early September, but local media reported they turned back to Hawaii shortly after departing for Guam The Epoch Times. No official explanation for the reported turnback was provided The Epoch Times.
F-16Vs Will Expand Taiwan's Fighter Fleet
The two newly arrived jets are equipped with advanced AESA radar and represent a major upgrade to Taiwan's air capability Times of India. Once all 66 aircraft are delivered, Taiwan's F-16 fleet will grow to more than 200 planes, making it one of the world's largest fleets of this fighter model Times of India.
A Taiwanese defense researcher noted that the F-16s remain valuable alongside drones because they can conduct air patrols, track airborne threats, and help counter Chinese naval forces near the island onlykashmir.in. The aircraft were built by Lockheed Martin onlykashmir.in.
Taiwan Faces Pilot Shortage Despite New Fighters
Aviation enthusiast Kimi Chi welcomed the F-16V's improved hardware but said Taiwan's more immediate problem is pilot availability NTD. Chi called for better allowances to attract and retain qualified pilots for the expanding fleet NTD.
Taiwan's defense minister said the government has repeatedly received U.S. assurances that Washington's policy toward Taiwan has not changed The Epoch Times. However, the island still has a backlog of previously ordered weapons awaiting delivery, creating uncertainty about the timeline for the remaining 64 F-16Vs The Epoch Times.
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