Taiwan receives first two US-made F-16V fighter jets
Taiwan has received the first two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets from the United States. The aircraft landed at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung on October 2.
The two single-seat jets, serials 6727 and 6728, are the first factory-new fighter aircraft delivered to Taiwan in 25 years. They are part of a 66-jet order.
The United States approved the $8 billion sale of 66 Lockheed Martin F-16V jets to Taiwan in 2019. Software problems and production delays held up delivery for years.
The jets began their journey from Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 17. They were held up in Hawaii for more than a month before flying on to Guam and then Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo said more of the aircraft will arrive before the end of the year. He did not give a specific number.
Taiwan’s air force scrambles almost daily to shadow Chinese military aircraft. President Lai Ching-te called the delivery an important step in strengthening air defence.
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