Taiwan took delivery of its first two newly built F-16V Block 70 fighter jets on October 2, 2026, landing the aircraft at Taitung Zhihang Air Base after a trans-Pacific ferry flight. The delivery launches a 66-jet acquisition program intended to bolster Taiwan’s air defense amid persistent military pressure from Beijing.
Taitung Zhihang Air Base Landing and the Multi-Stage Delivery Plan
The first two single-seat F-16V Block 70 fighters, bearing serial numbers 6727 and 6728, touched down at Taitung Zhihang Air Base around noon on October 2, 2026. The arrival marks a major milestone in a procurement effort that spans years, following a foreign military sale initiated when the United States government notified Congress in August 2019.
Following a flight path that began in Texas and included stops in Hawaii and Guam, the aircraft were flown across the Pacific in a cooperative pilot arrangement. A professional pilot employed by Lockheed Martin led the formation in aircraft 6727, while a Taiwan Air Force lieutenant colonel undergoing exchange training in the United States piloted the second jet. Ground crews inspecting the airframes upon arrival found the Republic of China national emblem fully displayed on the tail and wings, unmasked by the temporary decals that accompanied earlier generations of aircraft imports.
Taiwan Air Force Deploys Welcome Formation for Fighter Jets
To mark the return of new fighter jets after 29 years, the Taiwan Air Force deployed a comprehensive welcome formation. Two active-duty F-16 fighters rose to meet the incoming aircraft inside the Air Defense Identification Zone, accompanied by two domestically produced AJT Yung-Tung advanced jet trainers and an E-2K airborne early warning aircraft operating at a higher altitude to secure regional airspace.
According to official statements, the air force established the 7th Tactical Fighter Wing on December 1, 2023, specifically to absorb the incoming fleet. Pilots and technical crews have trained in the United States across structured phases, and personnel will now manage local acceptance trials and operational conversion as subsequent airframes arrive from production lines where 63 additional jets remain under assembly.
Block 70 Models Increase Thrust over Legacy Powerplants
The newly delivered Block 70 models differ substantially from Taiwan’s existing fleet of roughly 140 upgraded F-16AM/BM aircraft, which completed their modernization under the Phoenix Rise project in December 2023. While both variants utilize the AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar derived from fifth-generation fighter technology, the Block 70 introduces a General Electric F110-GE-129 engine capable of generating 29,500 pounds of maximum afterburner thrust—a 24% increase over legacy powerplants.
That additional power offsets the weight of conformal fuel tanks mounted along the spine of the fuselage, expanding combat radius and endurance for long-range patrols. Furthermore, redesigned structural reinforcements extend the planned airframe service life from 8,000 hours to 12,000 flight hours. In public remarks following the landing, President Lai Ching-te emphasized that investing in national defense strengthens deterrence against regular incursions by Chinese military aircraft.
Political Reactions Across Washington and Beijing
The delivery immediately prompted sharp political responses internationally. United States President Donald Trump published remarks on social media addressing the equipment transfer, arguing that international democratic partners frequently prioritize trade relations with Beijing over Taiwan’s air defense capabilities while noting that the United States remains the sole provider of advanced F-16s equipped with active electronically scanned array radar systems to Taipei.
In Beijing, official response appeared swiftly through state media. The Liberation Army Daily published a front-page commentary reiterating Beijing’s opposition to external interference and foreign arms sales, citing Chinese leadership directives concerning national reunification following recent diplomatic engagements between Washington and Beijing.