By Sandra Kenneth
Taiwan welcomed the arrival of its first two U.S.-built F-16V fighter jets on Friday, marking a significant step forward in the island democracy’s ongoing defense modernization aimed at deterring potential military aggression from Beijing.
The Lockheed Martin-manufactured jets touched down at an air force base in Taitung, on Taiwan’s southeastern coast. The aircraft represent the initial batch of a larger $8 billion agreement for 66 F-16V Block 70 fighters, originally approved during Donald Trump’s first U.S. presidential term.
The delivery follows weeks of unexpected delay. Originally slated to arrive in early September after planned refueling stops in Hawaii and Guam, local media reported that the aircraft briefly turned back to Hawaii shortly after departure. Neither U.S. nor Taiwanese military officials have provided an official explanation for the delay.
A crowd of aviation enthusiasts and locals gathered along the perimeter fence of the Taitung air base to watch the fighter jets land.
“In terms of hardware capabilities, there will definitely be an improvement,” said Kimi Chi, a 37-year-old salesman who traveled overnight from Taichung to witness the touchdown. “But what we are actually lacking the most right now is pilots. I hope the government can provide better allowances to recruit and retain military personnel.”
Former air force serviceman Eric Chan, 57, noted the tactical importance of the new fleet stationed in Taitung. “The threat from the Chinese Communist Party has always been there, so strengthening our defense capabilities is essential. These jets will play a crucial defensive role,” Chan said.
The F-16V is an advanced fourth-generation multi-role fighter, featuring upgraded radar, electronics, and engine capabilities compared to Taiwan’s aging fleet of F-16 A/B jets. Su Tzu-yun, a defense expert at Taipei’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, highlighted the arrival as a vital addition to countering regional threats.
Despite the milestone, defense officials caution that production bottlenecks remain. Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo acknowledged it would be challenging for Lockheed Martin to complete all 66 deliveries within the year. Koo confirmed that additional jets will arrive before the end of the year, though he did not specify an exact count, noting that further flight schedules are being coordinated with Washington.
The delivery arrives against a backdrop of broader geopolitical negotiations. Taiwan is currently awaiting approval for a separate $14 billion U.S. arms package—which includes Patriot air defense systems—that remains stalled. Experts suggest Washington may delay approval or divide the package into smaller allotments ahead of anticipated high-level diplomatic talks later this year.
