Taipei: Taiwan has received the first two newly built F 16V Block 70 fighter jets from the United States, beginning deliveries under a long delayed order for 66 aircraft worth about $8 billion.
The two aircraft landed at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung in eastern Taiwan around noon on Friday, marking the first delivery under Taiwan's 2019 purchase of 66 fighter jets from the United States.
The aircraft, identified as 6727 and 6728, are the first of the 66 new F 16V aircraft Taiwan ordered as part of efforts to strengthen its air defence capabilities.
Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo has said that more F 16Vs are expected to arrive before the end of the year. Taiwan's Air Force has said that 63 aircraft remain in the US production pipeline.
The arrival ends a long period of waiting for the first aircraft. The programme has faced production and supply chain difficulties as well as technical issues that affected the original delivery schedule.
The first two aircraft departed Texas on August 17 and travelled through Hawaii and Guam before continuing to Taiwan. They spent several weeks in Hawaii for inspection and preparation before making the final journey.
The new aircraft are expected to strengthen Taiwan's ability to conduct air patrols and defend its airspace. The F 16V Block 70 is equipped with an advanced electronically scanned array radar, modern electronic warfare equipment and upgraded avionics. The aircraft can also carry a range of air to air and air to surface weapons.
Taiwan already operates F 16 fighter jets, but the current programme involves newly manufactured aircraft. Taiwan previously upgraded 140 of its existing F 16A and F 16B aircraft to the F 16V standard, with that modernisation programme completed in 2023.
The new aircraft are being based at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung. Their deployment is expected to strengthen Taiwan's air defence presence in the eastern part of the island.
The delivery comes as Taiwan faces continuing military pressure from China. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed US arms sales to the island.
Chinese authorities have repeatedly called on Washington to stop arms sales to Taiwan.
The United States has said that its policy toward Taiwan has not changed. Washington continues to maintain its longstanding policy framework governing relations with Taiwan and China.
Taiwan is also continuing discussions with the United States over additional defence equipment. A separate proposed arms package worth about $14 billion remains on hold. That package is separate from the F 16 programme and its status has not been changed by Friday's delivery.
Taiwan's purchase of the 66 aircraft was approved in 2019 as part of a broader effort to modernise its military. The programme is intended to provide the island with additional fighter aircraft with improved radar, electronic warfare and weapons capabilities.
The delivery of two aircraft does not represent the completion of the programme. Taiwan is still waiting for the remaining aircraft to move through production and delivery.
The arrival nevertheless marks a significant stage in the long delayed programme, as Taiwan begins receiving the newly manufactured fighter aircraft it ordered from the United States in 2019.