Taiwan Receives Three More US F-16V Fighters as China Tensions Persist

08/11/2026

Taiwan Receives Three More US F-16V Fighters as China Tensions Persist

TAIPEI, Nov 8: Taiwan received a second batch of three newly manufactured F-16V Block 70 fighter jets from the United States on Sunday, bringing the total number of aircraft delivered under its latest US procurement programme to five.

The three aircraft landed safely at Chihang Air Base in Taitung County in southeastern Taiwan at around 11 am local time, according to Taiwan's Air Force Command, as reported by the state-run Central News Agency (CNA).

The fighter jets, bearing serial numbers 6729, 6731 and 6732, departed from Lockheed Martin's manufacturing facility in South Carolina earlier this month and arrived in Taiwan following a stop in Hawaii on November 4, according to local media reports.

The latest delivery follows the arrival of the first two F-16V Block 70 aircraft on October 2. The five jets are part of a US-approved procurement programme involving 66 new fighter aircraft.

Taiwan's Air Force said it would continue preparations and training for the induction of the new aircraft into service, gradually building their initial operational capability.

The United States approved the approximately $8 billion sale of 66 F-16V fighter jets and related equipment to Taiwan in 2019. Deliveries were originally expected to begin in 2023 and conclude by 2026, but technical problems and other delays pushed back the schedule.

The new aircraft are part of Taiwan's broader efforts to strengthen its air defence capabilities amid increasing military pressure from Beijing.

Separately, under the Phoenix Rising modernisation programme, Taiwan completed the upgrade of 140 older F-16A/B fighters to the F-16V Block 20 configuration in December 2023. These upgraded aircraft are distinct from the newly manufactured Block 70 fighters being delivered under the 66-aircraft procurement programme.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed US arms sales to the island, demanding that Washington halt military cooperation with Taipei.

Taiwan, which has its own democratically elected government and military, maintains that its future must be decided by its people. The latest delivery comes amid continuing tensions across the Taiwan Strait and Beijing's opposition to US military support for the island.