First Batch of F-16V Jets Delivered to Taiwan; Lai Ching-te: An Important Step in Strengthening Air Defense Capabilities

Taiwan has received the first batch of F-16V fighter jets since ordering 66 of them in 2019, with two F-16V Block 70 jets arriving at the Zhihang Air Base in Taitung on October 2. President Lai Ching-te stated that this move demonstrates the determination to strengthen self-defense. The Ministry of National Defense noted that subsequent deliveries are being planned, and the new jets will be deployed in eastern Taiwan to maintain strategic depth.

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Two F-16CD Block 70 fighter jets, numbered 6727 and 6728 and collectively known as F-16V Block 70, arrived at the Zhihang Air Base in Taitung, Taiwan, on Friday, October 2. This is the first delivery since Taiwan ordered 66 of these aircraft in 2019. A folded national flag was placed in front of the cockpit of the first jet to land, number 6728.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te posted on Facebook that this is an important step in enhancing Taiwan's air defense capabilities, demonstrating Taiwan's firm determination to strengthen self-defense and ensure peace through strength. Compared to the 139 F-16V Block 20 jets currently in service in Taiwan, which have been upgraded with APG-83 AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radars, the most obvious external difference of the Block 70 is the addition of conformal fuel tanks on both sides of the fuselage, which can extend flight time and expand the combat radius. Because the Block 70 is equipped with the brand-new GE Aerospace F110-GE-129 turbofan engine, with a maximum thrust of 29,000 pounds, the configuration of the ventral air intake is wider than that of the older Block 20. The military community jokingly refers to this as the difference between a "small mouth" and a "big mouth." The brand-new airframe design allows for a service life of 12,000 flight hours, an increase of more than 50% over the old design.

Taiwan's Minister of National Defense, Wellington Koo, stated that the delivery of subsequent fighter jets is being planned and that the new jets will be deployed in the eastern region of Taiwan in the future. "We will coordinate with the U.S. project office for subsequent deliveries. Since they are currently on the production line and some aircraft have passed tests, we will coordinate with the U.S. side regarding the ferry flight times. We need to maintain our strategic depth, and the eastern region is an important area for the strategic preservation of these F-16s. We cannot disclose too many other details."

Taiwan's F-16CD Block 70 fighter jets will be equipped with the AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield electronic warfare system, which features DRFM (Digital Radio Frequency Memory) and DRWR (Digital Radar Warning Receiver) capabilities to detect, identify, and counter electronic threats. U.S. defense company L3Harris stated in early September that it had completed the first batch of 35 Viper Shield electronic warfare systems, which can fully interoperate with the aircraft's advanced APG-83 AESA radar.