Taiwan receives first two F-16V fighter jets

Published Oct 2, 02:38 AM UTC

The first two of 66 new F-16V fighter jets ordered by Taiwan arrived at Taitung Air Base on Friday, October 2, after months of delay. The aircraft, built by Lockheed Martin, are intended to strengthen Taiwan's air force, which conducts near-daily emergency scrambles to monitor Chinese military aircraft. Taiwan faces rising military threats from China, which claims the island as its territory. The delivery comes amid heightened Taiwanese concerns over US arms sales commitments under the Trump administration, though Washington says its policy remains unchanged. Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo stated in parliament that more F-16Vs will arrive before year-end but did not provide details. The US approved the $80 billion sale in 2019, which will bring Taiwan's total F-16 fleet to over 200. Deliveries were delayed by software issues. The arrival occurred one week after President Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Trump had paused a $14 billion arms sale in May but approved $11 billion in sales in December 2025. The F-16V features advanced avionics, weapons, and radar to counter China's air force, including its stealth J-20 fighter. Taiwan's existing F-16 fleet upgrade was completed in 2023. The US State Department reiterated support for Taiwan, while China's Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

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