Key facts
- Taiwan will receive the first two of 66 F-16V fighter jets on Friday.
- The jets are part of an $8 billion sale approved by the US in 2019.
- The F-16V jets feature advanced avionics, weapons, and radar systems.
- Deliveries have faced delays due to issues including software problems.
- The US is legally bound to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
The first two of 66 new F-16V fighter jets ordered by Taiwan in 2019 are set to arrive on Friday, bolstering the island's defenses against China. The delivery, which has faced months of delays attributed to issues including software problems, will strengthen Taiwan's air force, which frequently scrambles to shadow Chinese military aircraft.
Taiwan faces a significant military threat from Beijing, which claims the self-governing island as its territory. Taipei has expressed frustration over repeated delays in weapons ordered from the United States, its primary international backer and arms supplier. The arrival of these jets comes amid concerns in Taiwan about the US administration's commitment to arming the island, though Washington maintains its policy remains unchanged.
Defence Minister Wellington Koo confirmed that additional F-16Vs would be delivered soon, stating that more than just these two would arrive by year-end. The $8 billion sale of the advanced F-16V jets, approved in 2019, will increase Taiwan's F-16 fleet to over 200 aircraft. These jets are equipped with advanced avionics, weapons, and radar systems designed to counter China's air force, including its J-20 stealth fighters. An upgrade program for Taiwan's existing F-16 fleet was completed in 2023.
The United States is legally obligated to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between the two. Beijing has consistently urged Washington to cease arming Taiwan. A US State Department spokesperson affirmed continued support for Taiwan's security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.