自由时报2 hours agoDefense2 min readChina

《TAIPEI TIMES》 Three new F-16V Block 70s arrive at Taitung’s air base

The Taiwan Air Force said it will conduct familiarization training, put the new aircraft into active service and establish initial combat capabilities.

Quick Look

The second batch of F-16V Block 70 fighter jets purchased by Taiwan from the United States (tail numbers 6729, 6731, and 6732) arrived at Chiben Air Force Base in Taitung County yesterday.
One of the female pilots saluted the 21st Fighter Squadron with a gesture.
The United States approved the sale of 66 F-16Vs and related equipment in 2019, worth approximately US$8 billion, but the delivery schedule was delayed due to technical problems.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

In 2019, the United States approved the sale of 66 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets and related equipment to Taiwan, worth approximately US$8 billion. The first batch of two fighter jets was delivered on October 2, and the second batch of three jets arrived yesterday. Delivery was originally planned to begin in 2023 and be completed this year, but was delayed due to technical issues.

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A F-16V Block 70 jet lands at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung yesterday. Photo: Liu Jen-wei, Taipei Times

LONG WAIT: Deliveries of the 66 jets were expected to begin in 2023 and be completed by this year, but technical issues had pushed back the timetable

/ Staff writer, with CNA

The second batch of F-16V Block 70 jets purchased by Taiwan from the US, aircraft 6729, 6731 and 6732, arrived at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung County at about 11am yesterday, the air force said.

The cockpit of the first aircraft to land, tail number 6732, displayed the Republic of China flag.

The pilot of the last aircraft, tail number 6731, made a hand gesture representing the number “21” to the crowd.

Airmen on the ground recognized it as the signature of the 21st Fighter Squadron.

Sources said the pilot who made the gesture was Chiang Hui-yu, a graduate of the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2014. She is one of Taiwan’s first female F-16 jet pilots.

The Air Force Command Headquarters said it would proceed with familiarization training as it integrates the new aircraft into service, building up their initial operational capability.

The jets departed from Lockheed Martin’s factory in South Carolina earlier this month and arrived in Hawaii on Wednesday last week, the media have reported.

Their arrival followed the delivery of the first batch on Oct. 2: two F-16V Block 70 jets.

The US approved the sale of 66 F-16Vs and related equipment to Taiwan in 2019 for about US$8 billion.

Deliveries were expected to begin in 2023 and be completed by this year, but delays caused by technical issues have pushed back the timetable.

Additional reporting by Liu Jen-wei

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The Taiwan Air Force will complete familiarization training with the new fighter jets in the next few weeks and establish initial combat capabilities.
Likely · Within weeks
The remaining F-16V Block 70 fighter jets will be delivered in the coming months.
Possible · Within months

Open Questions

Has the specific delivery schedule for the remaining 61 fighters been determined?
When will the new fighter aircraft reach initial combat capability?
What is the specific nature of the technical problem and what is the progress of its resolution?

《TAIPEI TIMES》 Three new F-16V Block 70s arrive at Taitung’s air base

The Taiwan Air Force said it will conduct familiarization training, put the new aircraft into active service and establish initial combat capabilities.

Quick Look

The second batch of F-16V Block 70 fighter jets purchased by Taiwan from the United States (tail numbers 6729, 6731, and 6732) arrived at Chiben Air Force Base in Taitung County yesterday.
One of the female pilots saluted the 21st Fighter Squadron with a gesture.
The United States approved the sale of 66 F-16Vs and related equipment in 2019, worth approximately US$8 billion, but the delivery schedule was delayed due to technical problems.