First US F-16V jets arrive in Taiwan after delays

On Oct 2, two US-built F-16V Block 70 aircraft arrived in Taiwan at Chihhang Air Base near Taitung. They are the first arrivals under a US-made fighter order placed in 2019, although reports differ over whether the full purchase covers 65 or 66 jets.¹²⁴

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Delivery begins after delays

Deutsche Welle reported that the two aircraft were the first of 66 ordered by Taiwan, while The Hindu put the total at 65. Both reports said the order was placed in 2019. The fighters form part of a deal valued at about $8 billion, with 63 aircraft still to arrive if the lower total is used.¹²

According to Deutsche Welle, the aircraft travelled through Hawaii and Guam before reaching Chihhang Air Base on Taiwan’s east coast. It said delivery had been delayed by several months because of reported software problems. The Hindu attributed delays partly to production and supply-chain difficulties.¹²

Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo said further deliveries would follow. “At present, I think aircraft are gradually moving through the production line, and there are also aircraft that have passed tests,” he said. Koo also said more than the initial two would be delivered by the end of the year.¹

The Hindu reported that Taiwan remained in continuing discussions with the United States about arms sales. It described the fighters as the first shipment from a backlog of US orders worth almost $30 billion, with the F-16V purchase accounting for roughly a quarter of that amount.²

Defence policy and relations with China

China claims Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly urged Washington to stop supplying the island with weapons. The Hindu reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping had personally raised US arms sales to Taiwan and that Beijing sends military aircraft and ships towards the island almost every day.²

Taiwan is also awaiting US approval for an additional arms package valued at $14 billion. The Hindu reported that progress stalled after President Donald Trump met Xi in May. Deutsche Welle separately reported that Trump had held back approval and described the proposed package as useful leverage in negotiations with Beijing.¹²

According to Deutsche Welle, the new fighters have avionics and radar designed to improve Taiwan’s ability to respond to Chinese aircraft, including J-20 fighters. The outlet also reported that Taiwan’s air force is expected to operate more than 200 F-16Vs after the deliveries are completed.¹

Koo said China’s intention to take Taiwan by force had not changed. The US State Department, meanwhile, said Washington’s policy towards China and Taiwan remained unchanged and that it continued to support Taiwan alongside other partners in the Indo-Pacific.¹

Reaction near the air base

Local residents gathered near Chihhang Air Base to watch the aircraft arrive. Eric Chan, 57, who previously served in the air force, said the jets would bolster Taiwan’s defensive capabilities. Kimi Chi, a 37-year-old salesman who travelled from Taichung to photograph the jets, said personnel were a concern: “But what we are actually lacking the most right now is pilots.”¹