Taiwan’s air force will begin test flights of its new F-16V fighter jets this month, marking a key milestone in a major defence upgrade project that has faced repeated delays. Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Ching-jan told lawmakers on Monday that 54 of the 66 aircraft ordered from the United States are now in production, up from 50 in October.
The $8 billion deal, approved by Washington in 2019, will boost Taiwan’s fleet to more than 200 F-16 jets, making it one of the largest and most advanced in the Asia-Pacific region. However, production setbacks and software issues have repeatedly delayed delivery, frustrating Taipei as it faces mounting military pressure from Beijing.
Lockheed Martin Working to Speed Deliveries
The F-16V, produced by Lockheed Martin, features upgraded avionics, weapons systems, and radar designed to enhance Taiwan’s ability to counter the Chinese air force, including China’s J-20 stealth fighters.
Lockheed said last month that it was taking steps to accelerate deliveries to Taiwan following the delays. The company’s efforts come amid growing U.S. efforts to strengthen Taiwan’s defences as Beijing increases its military activities around the island.
Rising Urgency Amid Chinese Pressure
Taiwan, which China claims as its territory, has repeatedly complained of delays in U.S. weapons shipments. These include aircraft, missiles, and other systems crucial to strengthening the island’s air defence and deterrence capabilities.
Speaking in parliament, Lee said test flights will begin later this month as production ramps up. “The programme is moving forward,” he said, emphasising that Taiwan continues to coordinate closely with U.S. partners to ensure timely delivery.
The upgraded F-16Vs equipped with advanced AESA radar, precision-guided weapons, and enhanced electronic warfare systems are seen as a cornerstone of Taiwan’s strategy to maintain air superiority against China’s expanding military.
As regional tensions rise, the start of flight testing signals renewed momentum in Taiwan’s long-delayed defence modernisation effort.
(with inputs from Reuters)
