TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Lockheed Martin is currently working on 46 single-seat and 10 twin-seat F-16V Block 70 jets for Taiwan, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said Thursday.

Defense officials faced questioning at the Legislative Yuan as the search for the pilot of a crashed Air Force jet continued at sea east of Hualien. The single-seat F-16V Block 20 aircraft disappeared during a training mission Tuesday evening.

The jet was one of 141 F-16A/B jets upgraded to F-16V level, while questions from lawmakers also focused on 66 new F-16V aircraft ordered from Lockheed Martin. Air Force Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Lee Ching-jan (李慶然) said the first of the jets manufactured in South Carolina completed taxiing trials at the end of last year, per CNA. The aircraft is currently undergoing flying tests, he added.

Koo said testing for the first of the new planes took more time, but if the trials were successful, the process could be sped up for later aircraft. The jets will be stationed at Zhihang Air Base in Taitung, with delivery expected to be completed in 2027 or 2028.