Two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets arrived in Taiwan on Friday. These aircraft are the first part of an order for 66 jets that was placed in 2019 to strengthen the country's defense against threats from China.
Details of the arrival of the jets
The aircraft, which passed through Hawaii and Guam, landed at 12 PM local time (0400 GMT) at Chiayi Air Base near Taitung in eastern mountainous Taiwan. The arrival of these jets had been delayed for several months due to software issues. Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo announced that more aircraft are on the way and that these two jets are just the beginning of the deliveries.
Concerns about Taiwan's security
This delivery comes amid growing concerns in Taiwan about the United States' commitment to supplying arms to the country. Additionally, this delivery occurred a week after US President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. While the United States has stated that its policy towards China and Taiwan has not changed, Trump described the delay in signing a new $14 billion package for Taiwan as a negotiating tool with Beijing.
Future plans for Taiwan to strengthen its air force
The Taiwan Defense Minister also told reporters in Taipei, "We will not only deliver these two jets by the end of the year." He continued that the aircraft are currently gradually moving through the production line, and some have completed testing. The Taiwan Air Force is expected to have more than 200 F-16Vs by the end of the deliveries.
The F-16V jets, produced by Lockheed Martin, are equipped with advanced electronic and radar systems to effectively counter China's air force, including the stealthy J-20 fighter jets. However, Washington has refrained from providing more advanced jets like the F-22 and F-35.
The Taiwan Defense Minister also warned about China's intention to forcibly annex Taiwan, stating, "China's intention to annex Taiwan has never changed." The Chinese Foreign Ministry has not yet commented on the arrival of these jets. However, US officials have told Reuters that the likelihood of a Chinese attack before 2028 increasingly seems unlikely.
This assessment, however, did not prevent dozens of local people from gathering near the airbase fence to watch the anticipated arrival of these jets. Eric Chan, a former military personnel, said, "The threat from the Chinese Communist Party is always present, and we definitely need to strengthen our defensive capabilities." He also pointed out the importance of the F-16V jets in this regard.
Kimi Chi, a 37-year-old vendor, also expressed hope that "we will definitely see advancements in hardware capabilities," and hoped that the government could provide more benefits for military pilots.
