DEFENSE/Defense ministry releases images of jets escorting new F-16Vs

Taipei, Oct. 3 (CNA) The Ministry of National Defense on Saturday released footage and photos of an F-16V Block 20 and Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers escorting two F-16V Block 70s that Taiwan received a day earlier.

The footage showed four aircraft, including the new Block 70 jets numbered 6727 and 6728, flying above the clouds and the open ocean.

It appeared to have been taken from within the cockpit of one of the Brave Eagles escorting the new jets, the first batch of 66 that the United States approved for sale to Taiwan in 2019.

Meanwhile, a set of photos showed all five aircraft flying in different formations.

The F-16V Block 70s landed at Chihhang Air Base in the eastern county of Taitung around Friday noon after departing from Hawaii and making a stop in Guam.

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 arose due to technical issues.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) told reporters Friday that "there will be more than two jets delivered this year."