Taiwan receives first 2 F-16V Block 70s (update)

Taipei, Oct. 2 (CNA) Taiwan's Air Force on Friday took delivery of the first two of 66 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets purchased from the United States, roughly a month later than initially expected.

The aircraft, bearing tail numbers 6727 and 6728, landed at Chihhang Air Base in the eastern county of Taitung around noon after departing from Hawaii and making a stop in Guam.

The two fighter jets had been expected to arrive in Taiwan by the end of August, but remained in Hawaii without explanation as U.S. President Donald Trump prepared to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) in late September.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) welcomed the arrival of the two aircraft.

"This is an important milestone in strengthening Taiwan's air defense capabilities. It also demonstrates our resolve to bolster self-defense and ensure peace through strength," Lai wrote in a social media post.

Lai said it was his administration's "unwavering" goal to preserve peace in the Taiwan Strait, and that investing in national defense, which increases the cost of invading Taiwan and lowers the risk of miscalculation, helps further that aim.

Meanwhile, the Air Force Command said it will carry out the planned transition training and gradually complete preparations for the new aircraft to ensure that their operational capabilities are brought online in phases.

In a statement, the command said that, to strengthen Taiwan's overall air defense capabilities, it established the 7th Tactical Fighter Wing, which the F-16V Block 70s will be commissioned into, on Dec. 1, 2023.

The wing is being organized into operational squadrons in three phases, with air and maintenance personnel being sent to the United States in batches for transition training.

The command noted that some of the remaining 63 F-16V Block 70s have reached the stage of being ready for delivery.

It added that it will continue coordinating with the U.S. program office and managing the delivery and return of the aircraft to Taiwan according to the planned schedule.

Earlier in the day, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) told reporters at the Legislative Yuan that "there will be more than two jets delivered this year."

Koo said the delivery dates of subsequent F-16V Block 70s will be determined in coordination with the United States.

Asked where the new F-16Vs will be stationed, Koo said that, in line with the military's strategy, eastern Taiwan will be an important stronghold for preserving combat power, but he declined to comment further.

The United States approved the sale of 66 F-16Vs and related equipment to Taiwan in 2019 for around US$8 billion. Delivery was expected to begin in 2023 and be completed by 2026, but delays due to technical issues have pushed the timetable back.

In response to CNA's request for comment on the delivery of the aircraft, a U.S. Department of State spokesperson said, "Our policy on Taiwan has not changed. The United States remains committed to its one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances."

"We continue standing with friends and allies across the Indo-Pacific to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values-that includes Taiwan," the spokesperson added.

The U.S. government has sold weapons systems to support Taiwan's self-defense under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.