FORT WORTH- The first two Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 fighter jets purchased by Taiwan have departed from the United States and are expected to arrive in Taiwan in the coming days. The aircraft mark the beginning of deliveries under a long-delayed defense procurement program.
The fighter jets departed from Fort Worth, Texas, and will complete a trans-Pacific journey with aerial refueling and a maintenance stop before reaching Chiayi Air Base near Chiayi (CYI), Taiwan.
First Deliveries Mark Progress for Taiwan’s F-16V Fleet Modernization
The two aircraft, carrying serial numbers 6728 and 6727, departed from the United States on August 17 Eastern Time, according to sources familiar with the operation. They represent the first deliveries from Taiwan’s order of 66 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets purchased from the United States under the Peace Phoenix Soaring program.
The trans-Pacific journey requires careful planning because fighter aircraft have limited operational range compared to commercial aircraft. During the flight, the jets will receive fuel from aerial tankers and make a scheduled maintenance stop. The stop also allows pilots to rest before continuing the long journey across the Pacific Ocean.
The arrival of the aircraft marks a significant milestone for Taiwan’s ongoing effort to modernize its air force with the latest version of the F-16 fighter.
Peace Phoenix Soaring Program Faces Production Delays
Taiwan’s Air Force allocated NT$247.2 billion between 2020 and 2026 to purchase the 66 new F-16V Block 70 aircraft from the United States.
The original delivery schedule called for all aircraft to be handed over by the end of 2026. However, the program experienced delays after Lockheed Martin relocated and restarted its F-16 production line. Global supply chain disruptions also affected manufacturing timelines.
To recover lost time, Lockheed Martin expanded production by operating two work shifts, allowing assembly lines to run for up to 20 hours each day. The increased production rate is intended to accelerate deliveries for Taiwan and other international customers.
The departure of the first two aircraft indicates that deliveries have now entered the operational phase, even though the overall schedule slipped from the original timeline.
Taiwan Already Upgraded Existing F-16 Fleet
Alongside purchasing new aircraft, Taiwan has also completed a major modernization program for its existing fighter fleet.
Under the Peace Phoenix Rising project, Lockheed Martin worked with Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) to upgrade all 140 F-16A/B Block 20 fighters to the newer F-16V configuration.
The modernization program was completed in December 2023. The upgrades introduced advanced avionics, improved radar systems, enhanced mission computers, and other capability improvements that bring the older aircraft closer to the performance standards of newly built F-16Vs.
Once all 66 new Block 70 aircraft are delivered, Taiwan will operate one of the world’s largest fleets of F-16V fighters.
Block 70 Offers Greater Range Than Earlier F-16 Versions
The current delivery flight differs significantly from Taiwan’s original F-16 deliveries in 1997.
When Taiwan received its F-16 Block 20 fighters nearly three decades ago, the aircraft required 19 aerial refueling operations during the journey from the United States to Taiwan. On average, the fighters were refueled about once every hour because of their limited fuel capacity.
That flight followed three main stages. The aircraft flew from Fort Worth, Texas, to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, then continued to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, before completing the final leg to Chiayi Air Base near Chiayi (CYI), Taiwan.
The new Block 70 aircraft incorporate conformal fuel tanks that significantly increase operational range without occupying external weapon stations. These permanently mounted fuel tanks allow the aircraft to carry additional fuel while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency.
Because of these design improvements and other technical differences, the exact number of aerial refueling operations and the total flight time for the first two Block 70 fighters have not been disclosed.
Modernization Strengthens Taiwan’s Air Defense
The arrival of the first F-16V Block 70 fighters marks the beginning of a broader modernization effort aimed at strengthening Taiwan’s air defense capabilities.
The combination of newly built Block 70 aircraft and upgraded F-16V fighters provides the Taiwan Air Force with a more capable and standardized fleet. As additional deliveries continue, Taiwan will gradually expand its inventory of advanced fighters while replacing older aircraft and improving operational readiness.
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