Taiwan's first new F-16V fighter jets arrive to bolster defenses against China
LMT•Taiwan received the first two of 66 new F-16V Block 70 fighter jets ordered in 2019, after months of delays. The United States approved the $8 billion sale, and Taiwan's defense minister said more jets would arrive soon.
1. First jets arrive
The first two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets arrived at Chihhang Air Base in Taiwan on Friday. The aircraft flew via Hawaii and Guam, and Defence Minister Wellington Koo said more would arrive soon, without giving details.
2. Delayed $8 billion sale
The United States approved the sale of 66 Lockheed Martin fighter jets to Taiwan in 2019. Production delays, including software issues, have slowed delivery; the full order would take Taiwan's F-16 fleet to more than 200 jets. The F-16Vs have advanced avionics, weapons and radar systems.
