Taiwan receives first two F-16V Block 70 fighters after years of delay

Taiwan received the first two of 66 newly built F-16V Block 70 fighters on October 2, 2026, years after deliveries were initially expected to begin. The aircraft landed around noon at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung on the island’s east coast, Taiwan’s defence ministry said.

The two single-seat jets, numbered 6727 and 6728, travelled from the United States via Hawaii and Guam. Their arrival is the first physical delivery under a programme approved by Washington in August 2019 and valued at about $8 billion. At the time of the sale, deliveries were expected to start in 2023 and conclude in 2026; that timetable has slipped.

Taiwan’s Central News Agency said the transfer of the production line, its subsequent restart and supply-chain problems affected the schedule. The two fighters left the United States on August 17 but then remained in Hawaii for roughly six weeks. Officials have not publicly explained that additional delay.

First arrivals for the 7th Tactical Fighter Wing

President Lai Ching-te described the arrival as an important milestone for Taiwan’s air-defence capabilities. Defence Minister Wellington Koo said more than two fighters should arrive this year, with subsequent delivery dates to be settled with the United States. Taiwan’s air force said some of the remaining aircraft have already reached the delivery-ready stage.

The new jets are assigned to the 7th Tactical Fighter Wing, established on December 1, 2023. Its operational squadrons are being formed in stages while personnel undergo training in the United States. Chihhang previously operated F-5E/F aircraft, now retired. Koo described eastern Taiwan as an important area for preserving combat power but gave no further details about basing plans.

Radar and electronic-warfare fit

The Block 70 incorporates Northrop Grumman’s AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar, also used in the Greek F-16V upgrade programme. The configuration also includes conformal fuel tanks. The AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield electronic-warfare system is planned for Taiwan’s fleet, although reports indicate it was not fitted to the first two arrivals. Koo said testing of that system was proceeding normally.

Taiwan already operates 139 upgraded F-16A/B fighters. Adding the 66 new Block 70 aircraft would bring its F-16 fleet above 200, subject to completion of the deliveries. In response to a question about the arrival, a US State Department spokesperson said US policy on Taiwan had not changed. Taiwan’s military news agency confirmed that the first two aircraft reached Chihhang on October 2.