Taiwan receives first of 66 advanced F-16V fighter jets

Taiwan is poised to take delivery of the first pair of 66 advanced F-16V fighter jets ordered in 2019, officials confirmed, following months of delays in the procurement programme. The aircraft are expected to arrive at a military base in Taitung on Friday, according to defence ministry statements.

The F-16V jets represent a substantial upgrade to Taiwan's ageing combat fleet and are intended to bolster the island's air defence capabilities amid escalating regional tensions. Taiwan's air force has been operating under considerable strain, with pilots required to scramble almost daily to intercept and shadow Chinese military aircraft operating in the vicinity of Taiwanese airspace.

The 66-aircraft order represents one of Taiwan's largest military procurements in recent years and is part of broader efforts to modernise defence systems. Officials have described the F-16V acquisition as critical to maintaining air superiority over the Taiwan Strait, where Beijing has significantly expanded its military presence in recent years.

The delayed delivery of the aircraft had been attributed to production schedules and other logistical factors. Taiwan's Defence Ministry indicated that subsequent deliveries from the batch would continue over the coming years, with all 66 jets expected to be operationalised progressively to strengthen the island's aerial defences.