Taiwan’s first pair of F-16 Viper Block 70 combat aircraft are set to land in the East Asian country soon, following delays from the initial 2023 delivery schedule.
Taiwan’s first pair of F-16 Viper Block 70 combat aircraft is set to land in the East Asian country soon, following delays from the initial 2023 delivery schedule.
The jets are awaiting favorable weather conditions before flying to Chihang Air Force Base in Taitung on Taiwan’s southeastern coast, where they will undergo ground inspections and conversion training.
Meanwhile, Lockheed is aiming to deliver the remaining aircraft by 2028.
Once operational, the Vipers will be in service with the air force’s 7th Tactical Fighter Wing stationed in the country’s east.
Taiwanese F-16s
The Republic of China Air Force already operates 150 F-16A/B aircraft purchased in the 1990s and had the operational fighters upgraded to the F-16V Block 20 standard between 2016 and 2023.
In August 2019, the US State Department approved a proposed foreign military sale of 66 F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft and related equipment for approximately $8 billion.
The fighters feature capabilities including beyond-visual-range air combat, F110 engines, and active electronically scanned array radars, enhancing Taiwan's ability to counter growing Chinese military pressure.
While initially set for delivery in 2023, the arrival of the first batch was extended to 2026 due to supply chain disruptions, production delays, and software integration issues.
