Taiwan receives 2 long-delayed US F-16Vs and awaits additional fighter jets

Taiwan received the first two of 65 F-16V fighter jets from the U.S. on Friday, following years of delays, according to the island's air force. The two F-16V Block 70 jets landed at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung, with 63 more set to follow. Taiwan, largely purchasing arms from the U.S., its largest unofficial ally, ordered the F-16Vs in 2019 to bolster defenses against China's military threats.

China has sent fighter jets and ships toward Taiwan almost daily. Taiwan's defense minister stated the island continues discussions with the U.S. regarding weapon sales. The shipment is the first of a backlog of nearly $30 billion in U.S. orders worth roughly 25% of the total, according to Taiwan Security Monitor at George Mason University.

The F-16Vs account for $8 billion, or around 25% of the entire backlog, due to production and supply chain issues. The delivery coincides with Taiwan awaiting approval for an additional $14 billion arms package, which has stalled since U.S. President Donald Trump met with China’s President Xi Jinping in May. Beijing has repeatedly urged the U.S. to halt sales to Taiwan, with President Xi Jinping personally raising the issue.