Taiwan takes delivery of first F-16 Block 70 fighter
Lockheed Martin held the delivery ceremony of the first F-16 Block 70 fighter to Taiwan.
The event was held in recent days, but has not yet been officially announced by the company. However, images of the ceremony were posted on social media featuring a two-seater F-16D, as shown by Republican Congressman William Timmons.
Taiwan ordered 66 F-16V fighters in 2019 through the Foreign Military Sales program. These aircraft will reinforce the fleet of nearly 140 F-16s that have been upgraded to a similar standard.
Despite the ceremony, the fighter jet is expected to remain in the United States until the end of the year, when it will then be sent to the country.
The Taiwanese government had hoped to receive all of its F-16s by the end of 2026, but the target is quite ambitious, despite Lockheed’s plan to send four planes per month.
The F-16 Block 70 has several improvements, including a more capable AESA radar, new electronic warfare and mission systems, and a longer structural lifespan.
In addition to the F-16, the Taiwanese Air Force has Mirage 2000-5, F-CK-1C (homegrown) jets, and some older F-5s.
The country lives in fear of an invasion by China, which considers the island a “rogue province.”
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