Taiwan received the first F-16V fighter jets purchased from the USA

According to the news of Taiwan agency CNA, two "F-16V Block 70" type aircraft were brought to Chihhang Air Base in Taiwan's Taitung province with two American cargo planes taking off from Hawaii.

Taiwan had purchased 65 warplanes of this type from the USA. The first planes, which were to be delivered in August, were kept in Hawaii due to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the USA in September.

Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te, in his statement regarding the delivery of the aircraft, stated that this is an important turning point in terms of strengthening the island's air defense capacity and shows the determination to maintain peace through force.

Taiwan, which China claims is part of its territory, has had de facto independence since 1949. The separation between mainland China and Taiwan, which emerged after the civil war, continues. Emphasizing the "one China" principle, Beijing opposes countries that recognize it from establishing military relations with Taiwan and selling weapons.

China, which has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, emphasizes that it will not exclude the use of force if necessary to reunify the island with the mainland. On the other hand, it is observed that Taiwan has increased its military expenditures in recent years and is trying to strengthen its defense capacity with new weapon systems purchased from the USA.