Taiwan's F-16V Block 70 Arrival Reflects Decades of US Arms Policy

October 2, 2026 at 07:10 PM2 min

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Taiwan received the first two of 66 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung, marking the culmination of a procurement effort that began in the 1970s. President Lai Ching-te welcomed the delivery as crucial for strengthening Taiwan's air defense amid rising Chinese military pressure. The arrival follows years of US policy shifts that repeatedly denied Taiwan advanced fighters before the 2019 sale approval.

Key Facts

Taiwan received the first two of 66 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung.
The 66-aircraft order was approved in 2019 during the first term of President Donald Trump.
The initial order is valued at around $8 billion.
Taiwan's total F-16 fleet will exceed 200 aircraft once all deliveries are complete.
Taiwan's requests for F-16s were repeatedly denied by US administrations from 1978 through the 1980s.

Delivery and Reaction

Two F-16V Block 70 jets landed at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung after months of delays attributed to software problems and other issues. President Lai Ching-te expressed gratitude to the United States and emphasized the importance of strengthening Taiwan's air defense capabilities. Defense Minister Wellington Koo stated that more F-16Vs would arrive in the future but did not provide a specific timeline. The delivery comes amid heightened concern among Taiwanese officials over the reliability of US military support.

Historical Procurement Efforts

Taiwan first sought F-16s in the 1970s as its F-100 and F-104 fleets approached obsolescence. In 1978, Taipei's request for F-16s was dismissed, and Washington settled on additional F-5E/F aircraft. The US terminated the Mutual Defense Treaty with Taiwan effective January 1, 1980, after recognizing Beijing in December 1978. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act specified US policy to provide Taiwan with defensive arms, but sales remained subject to presidential and congressional approval. During Ronald Reagan's presidency, Taiwan's requests for the F-5G and F-16/79 were rejected in favor of continued F-5E/F production and used F-104 transfers from West Germany.

Strategic Context

The F-16V Block 70 order was signed in 2019 during the first term of President Donald Trump after being blocked under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The arrival raises questions about the role the aircraft can realistically play given Taiwan's vulnerable air bases in wartime. Taiwan's air force faces the challenge of monitoring intensified Chinese military activities in recent years. The delivery is part of a broader effort to bolster Taiwan's defense forces, enhancing the total F-16 fleet to over 200 aircraft.