Lai Qingde and Gu Lixiong emphasized that F-16 fighter jets will continue to be delivered to protect Taiwan’s democracy and freedom

Lai: Continue to monitor the progress of subsequent handovers and protect Taiwan’s democracy and freedom

my country has purchased 66 F-16 BLK70 fighter jets from the United States. The first batch of two single-seat jets arrived in Taiwan yesterday. Defense Minister Gu Lixiong emphasized that "there will not be only these two before the end of the year." The actual arrival time of subsequent fighter jets in Taiwan will be coordinated with the United States.

Please read on...

President Lai Ching-te also posted on Facebook yesterday, emphasizing that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the government's unswerving goal; strengthening national defense will increase the cost of using force to invade Taiwan, reduce the risk of miscalculation and conflict, and make peace more secure.

Lai Qingde said that after the first batch of F-16 BLK70s are delivered, the government will continue to monitor the progress of subsequent deliveries, implement equipment, preparation and training, so that the national defense investment can become a solid force to defend the country. Investing in national defense is investing in peace. Let us support the national army together, protect Taiwan's democracy and freedom, and let the people live in peace of mind.

Gu: Some fighter jets have passed the test and the arrival time in Taiwan needs to be coordinated.

The first batch of two F-16 BLK70 single-seat aircraft arrived in Taiwan. What will be the status of subsequent deliveries this year? In an interview with the Legislative Yuan yesterday, Gu Lixiong emphasized that "of course there will not be only these two aircraft before the end of the year" and that he will make plans with the US project office. He also revealed that each aircraft is in the production line one after another, and some fighters have passed testing. The actual arrival time in Taiwan will be coordinated with the US side.

The media is paying attention to whether all the 66 new aircraft will be deployed in Taitung in the future? Gu said that Taiwan must maintain its own strategic depth. In terms of "preservation of combat power," the east is certainly an important region, but he was not in a position to disclose any further details.

As for rumors that our new F-16 aircraft has not yet been equipped with the AN/ALQ-254 electronic warfare system, and that the interior of the aircraft is temporarily replaced by "counterweight blocks", Gu Lixiong refuted "the lack of counterweight blocks" and revealed that the manufacturer is conducting software and hardware testing of the electronic warfare system, striving to integrate the system with the new environment and new aircraft configuration, and the results will be available soon. Gu reiterated that "it is proceeding as scheduled in accordance with the control nodes."