Military

First Two of Taiwan’s New F-16V Fighter Jets Arrive

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By Fuhua Hung/Hank Hsu/Lery Hiciano

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The first two of Taiwan’s 66 newly purchased F-16V fighter jets arrived in Taitung on Friday, following multiple delays to the delivery schedule. Taiwan’s defense minister says more aircraft are expected to be delivered as production and testing continue.

Taiwan’s New F-16 Fighter Jets Arrive

REPORTER:  
After a long journey from the US, two F-16V fighter jets touch down in Taitung in Southeast Taiwan. They're the first batch of 66 purchased in 2019 for 8 billion US dollars. And after multiple delays, their arrival likely comes as a relief for Taiwan's defense minister, who very recently was facing questions about the backlog.

Wellington Koo (DEFENSE MINISTER):  
I certainly wouldn’t say that only these two aircraft will be delivered before the end of the year. For future deliveries we will coordinate with the US task force to make the necessary arrangements. The aircraft are currently in production and some have already passed the relevant tests.

REPORTER:  
The US is Taiwan's main defense backer and has sold Taiwan an upgraded variant of the long-serving F-16, the block 70 version. Experts say its more advanced capabilities could be what Taiwan needs to protect itself from threats posed by China.

Su Tzu-yun (INDSR):  
The F-16 Block 70 is an almost entirely new fighter design. Its overall combat capability is generally estimated to be about 30 percent higher than that of the Block 20.

REPORTER:  
The F16s arrive amid growing concern over US willingness to honor its defense commitments to Taiwan. The US reportedly postponed a major 14-billion-dollar weapons package to Taiwan. That's in addition to a preexisting backlog of arms packages worth tens of billions of dollars. And, while experts agree with the defense ministry that these F-16s could give Taiwan the edge, they also assert that Taiwan needs to acquire or develop 6th generation fighters.

Su Tzu-yun (INDSR):  
With advances in electronic technology fighters [between 4th- and 5th-generation] can narrow the gap with 5th-generation aircraft after upgrading their electronic systems. In the long term Taiwan will still need to gradually develop 5th- and even 6th-generation fighter aircraft.

REPORTER:  
US State Department officials say the country has not changed its polices toward Taiwan, with a spokesperson even saying the US is "standing with friends and allies across the Indo-Pacific to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values."

REPORTER:  
Taiwan's defenses are set to get a serious boost with these new F-16's arrival, and with more on the way, it may also help ease concern over its purchases from the US.