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Taiwan receives its first two new F-16V fighters

Taiwan received the first 2 aircraft from its 66-fighter F-16V order on 2 October, after delays in a purchase approved in 2019. The jets arrived via Hawaii and Guam. Defence Minister Wellington Koo said more would follow by year-end, while Taipei continues to raise delays in US weapons deliveries amid Chinese military activity around the island.

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Two F-16V fighter aircraft on an airbase apron.

First fighters arrive after delivery delays

Taiwan received the first aircraft from its US-made F-16V fighter order on 2 October. The jets arrived at an air base in Taitung, a city in Taiwan, beginning delivery of an earlier approved purchase.[1], [2]

The first 2 jets belong to an order for 66 F-16V Block 70 fighters placed in 2019. They flew via Hawaii and Guam after delays in the programme. The United States approved the sale of the Lockheed Martin aircraft through an agreement worth 8 billion dollars.[1]

Koo sets a year-end timetable for further aircraft

Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo said additional F-16Vs would arrive by year-end. The new fighters are among the systems bought to strengthen the island’s air defences. Chinese military activity around Taiwan requires its air force to carry out monitoring and response missions.[1]

Delivery follows the Trump–Xi meeting

The delivery came about 1 week after US President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. The US State Department said its Taiwan policy had not changed. Washington has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, while US law supports the island’s access to means of self-defence. China claims Taiwan as its territory; Taipei rejects that sovereignty claim.[1]

References

  1. News sourceAl JazeeraTaiwan receives the first 2 of its 66 new F-16V fighters↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceAFPTaiwan receives its first US-made F-16V fighter jets↩
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