Taiwan Receives First F-16V Jets After Software Delays
Taiwan will receive the first two of 66 F-16V fighter jets on Friday to bolster defenses against Chinese stealth fighters.
The Government of the Republic of China will receive the first two of 66 F-16V fighter jets at the Taitung air base on Friday. Produced by Lockheed Martin, the aircraft feature advanced radar and avionics systems specifically designed to counter Chinese J-20 stealth fighters. The delivery follows several months of delays attributed to software issues.
This shipment arrives shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. While the Trump administration previously held a $14 billion arms package in abeyance, it approved an $11 billion package in December 2025. The U.S. remains legally bound to provide Taiwan with defensive capabilities.
Defence Minister Wellington Koo confirmed that the delivery of the first two jets is only the beginning of the process, noting that additional aircraft are expected to arrive by the end of the year.
