Taiwan Air Force's first two F-16Vs
The first two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets of the Taiwan Air Force arrived at the Taitung Zhihang Air Force Base, marking the first batch of deliveries in a procurement program of 66 aircraft.

Taiwan received its first two F-16V Block 70 fighter jets on Oct. 2. The aircraft are among 66 new F-16Vs purchased from the United States in 2019 and arrived at Zhihang Air Base in Taitung via Hawaii and Guam. Defense Minister Wellington Koo said more F-16Vs would be delivered to Taiwan in the future.

President Lai Ching-te said the arrival of the aircraft marked important progress in strengthening Taiwan’s air defenses and thanked the United States for its support.

The United States approved the sale of the F-16V fleet to Taiwan in 2019 in a deal worth about US$8 billion. Once all 66 aircraft have been delivered, Taiwan’s F-16 fleet will exceed 200 jets. Delivery of the new aircraft was delayed, however, due in part to software issues.

The F-16V Block 70 is equipped with newer avionics, radar and weapons systems, improving the Taiwan Air Force’s ability to respond to Chinese military aircraft. Reuters reported that the systems include capabilities intended to counter China’s J-20 stealth fighter. The United States has not provided Taiwan with more advanced aircraft such as the F-22 or F-35.

The arrival of the aircraft comes as Taiwan continues to face military pressure from China. Reuters reported that Beijing claims Taiwan as part of China, while Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims. Taiwan’s Air Force also has to frequently scramble fighter jets to monitor Chinese military activity.

The delivery has also drawn attention to US arms sales policy toward Taiwan. Reuters noted that the first F-16Vs arrived about a week after US President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington. Trump had previously said approval of a new arms sales package for Taiwan worth about US$14 billion had been put on hold; in December 2025, the United States approved an arms sales package worth about US$11 billion.

Asked about the arrival of the new F-16s, a US State Department spokesperson said, “The United States will continue to work with friends and allies in the Indo-Pacific,” including Taiwan, to advance shared prosperity, security and values. China’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the F-16 delivery.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said deliveries of the F-16Vs would continue. With the new fighter jets joining the existing fleet, the Taiwan Air Force’s aircraft numbers and overall air defense capabilities are expected to improve further.