Stories
Taiwan receives new F-16 fighter jets after 25 years
N
News18•05-10-2026, 21:13
Taiwan receives new F-16 fighter jets after 25 years
- •Taiwan has received its first two new F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft from the United States after a gap of 25 years, landing at Chihhang Air Base.
- •The jets were ordered in 2019 under an 8 billion dollar deal, but deliveries were delayed due to Covid pandemic disruptions, supply chain issues, and software concerns.
- •Equipped with powerful General Electric F110 engines and conformal fuel tanks, these aircraft can stay airborne longer without mid-air refueling.
- •The inclusion of the IRST21 Legion-ES system will help these jets detect and track low-observable Chinese stealth aircraft like the J-20 and J-35.
- •While China maintains a vastly superior military size, the arrival of these advanced jets significantly boosts Taiwan's continuous air defense and surveillance capabilities.
Key Questions Answered
The first two F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft arrived at Taiwan's Chihhang Air Base on October 2, 2026, marking the first new fighter jet delivery in 25 years.
The initial delivery was delayed by about three years due to Covid pandemic disruptions affecting supply chains and personnel, production line shifts, software concerns, and geopolitical caution.
The new F-16s are equipped with the IRST21 Legion-ES Infrared Search and Track system, allowing them to detect and track airborne targets without turning on the radar.
