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US delivers F-16V fighter jets to Taiwan as island eyes threat from China
Confirmed
In Short: Despite the delivery, the US has been unwilling to provide Taiwan with its most advanced fighters, such as the F-22 or F-35, due to diplomatic sensitivities.
Taiwan received its first F-16V fighter jets from the United States on Friday, marking a significant upgrade to its military capabilities amid growing concerns over a potential Chinese attack.
The two F-16Vs, manufactured by US defense contractor Lockheed Martin, landed at Taiwan's air force base in Taitung, on the island's southeast coast, after making refueling stops in Hawaii and Guam.
Dozens of locals gathered near the base's perimeter fence to witness the highly anticipated arrival of the jets, some equipped with binoculars and long-lensed cameras.
The F-16V is a fourth-generation multi-role fighter and a significantly upgraded version of Taiwan's aging F-16 A/B jets, equipped with more advanced combat, detection, and engine capabilities.
Former Air Force serviceman Eric Chan, 57, marveled at the improvements made to the F-16 over the past 30 years and said the fighter jets based in Taitung will 'play a very important defensive role' against China.
Taiwan's Defence Minister Wellington Koo said more F-16Vs would be delivered to Taiwan 'before the end of the year,' though he did not specify the number.
The delivery comes as Taiwan awaits Washington's approval of a separate $14 billion arms package that President Donald Trump paused after Chinese objections.
A US official said recently it was increasingly likely the $14 billion worth of arms, which include the Patriot air defence system, would be broken up into smaller amounts to temper China's response.
China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to seize it.
Taiwan is growing concerned about the Trump administration’s commitment to arming the island, with the US State Department spokesperson reaffirming support for Taiwan.
Taiwan and the US have no formal diplomatic relations, but the US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
What this adds
The delivery of the F-16Vs is part of an $8 billion deal approved during President Trump's first term.
The jets were expected to arrive in early September but were delayed due to repeated requests from Beijing to the US to stop arming Taiwan.
What's confirmed
- Taiwan received its first F-16V fighter jets from the United States on Friday, marking a significant upgrade to its military capabilities amid growing concerns over a potential Chinese attack.
- The two F-16Vs, manufactured by US defense contractor Lockheed Martin, landed at Taiwan's air force base in Taitung, on the island's southeast coast, after making refueling stops in Hawaii and Guam.
- Dozens of locals gathered near the base's perimeter fence to witness the highly anticipated arrival of the jets, some equipped with binoculars and long-lensed cameras.
- The F-16V is a fourth-generation multi-role fighter and a significantly upgraded version of Taiwan's aging F-16 A/B jets, equipped with more advanced combat, detection, and engine capabilities.
- Former Air Force serviceman Eric Chan, 57, marveled at the improvements made to the F-16 over the past 30 years and said the fighter jets based in Taitung will 'play a very important defensive role' against China.
- Taiwan's Defence Minister Wellington Koo said more F-16Vs would be delivered to Taiwan 'before the end of the year,' though he did not specify the number.
- The delivery comes as Taiwan awaits Washington's approval of a separate $14 billion arms package that President Donald Trump paused after Chinese objections.
- A US official said recently it was increasingly likely the $14 billion worth of arms, which include the Patriot air defence system, would be broken up into smaller amounts to temper China's response.
- China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to seize it.
- Taiwan is growing concerned about the Trump administration’s commitment to arming the island, with the US State Department spokesperson reaffirming support for Taiwan.
- Taiwan and the US have no formal diplomatic relations, but the US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
What's still developing
- "The threat from the CCP has always been there so we definitely need to strengthen our defence capabilities," Chan told AFP, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.
- Trump has stalled signing off on the record $14 billion weapons purchase by Taipei, calling it in May a "very good negotiating chip" in dealings with China, which raised fears that Taiwan's security could be traded away.
- “We continue standing with friends and allies across the Indo-Pacific to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values — that includes Taiwan,” a US State Department spokesperson said when asked about the delivery.
- However, Washington has been unwilling to provide Taiwan with its most advanced fighters, such as the F-22 or F-35.
- They landed on Friday following months of delay due to repeated requests from Beijing to the US to stop arming Taiwan.
- The jets, which flew via Hawaii and Guam, touched down at noon (04:00 GMT) local time.