TAITUNG: Taiwan received its first two new F-16V Block 70 jets on Friday after months of delays. They form part of an order for 66 aircraft approved in 2019.
After flying via Hawaii and Guam, the Lockheed Martin aircraft landed at Chihhang Air Base on Taiwan’s mountainous east coast.
Before their arrival, Defence Minister Wellington Koo told reporters at parliament in Taipei that further deliveries were expected this year. He gave no detailed schedule.
The United States approved the $8 billion sale to expand Taiwan’s F-16 fleet to more than 200 jets. However, production problems, including software issues, delayed the aircraft.
Taiwan’s air force scrambles almost daily to shadow Chinese military activity. Beijing claims the democratically governed island as its territory. “China’s intention to annex Taiwan by force has never changed,” Koo said.
Read: China Sanctions US Defence Firms Over Taiwan Arms Sales
Meanwhile, China has repeatedly urged Washington to stop supplying weapons to Taiwan. Its foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the delivery.
Read: Taiwan Weapons Package Faces US Delivery Delay
Washington maintains that its policy towards Taipei has not changed. A US State Department spokesperson reaffirmed support for Taiwan when asked about the new fighters.
Separately, US President Donald Trump said in May that he had put a proposed $14 billion arms package on hold. He had approved another package worth $11 billion in December 2025.
Taiwan completed a separate upgrade programme for its existing F-16 aircraft in 2023. Although Washington supplies weapons for the island’s defence, the two have no formal diplomatic relations.
