TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The first batch of F-16V Block 70 jets will soon be flown from the US to Chihang Air Force Base in Taitung, according to a military source.
The source did not specify when they would arrive, per CNA. The newly built fighter jets have more thrust, an optimized airframe, and beyond-visual-range capabilities. They are also equipped with active electronically scanned array radars capable of electronic warfare.
The Air Force allocated NT$247.23 billion (US$7.7 billion) in funding from 2020 to 2026 to acquire 66 new F-16V jets under the Feng Hsiang Project, CNA reported. All aircraft were originally scheduled to be delivered to Taiwan this year, but the timeline has been delayed due to production line relocation and supply chain disruptions. Lockheed Martin reportedly increased work to two shifts to speed up production.
Under a separate Feng Chan Project, Lockheed Martin and Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. upgraded Taiwan’s 140 F-16A/B fighters to the F-16V Block 20 standard, per CNA. All retrofitting was completed in December 2023.
Taiwan opened an F-16 maintenance center in Taichung in 2020 to handle repairs for its fleet. The facility cost approximately NT$110 billion and is authorized by Lockheed Martin to service the aircraft.
