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After Years of Delays, Taiwan Receives Its First F-16 Block 70 Fighters
Ordered in 2019, the long awaited F-16s Block 70 Fighters have arrived in Taiwan.
F-16 Block 70 fighter jet in Taiwan at Zhihang Air Base. (Photo by Military News Agency reporter Wang Jin-fu)
Taiwan’s Military News Agency has announced that the first batch of two single-seat F-16 Block 70 fighter jets have successfully arrived at the Taitung Zhihang Air Base. The jets will join the 7th Tactical Fighter Wing, established on December 1, 2023.
Originally, Lockheed Martin planned to deliver the new F-16s in 2023 to replace the F-5 Tiger II fighter aircraft that was scheduled for retirement by the unit in 2024. However, the orders were significantly delayed after Lockheed Martin relocated its F-16 production line from Fort Worth, Texas, to Greenville, South Carolina.
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Taiwan’s ROCAF currently fields around 140 F-16A/B Block 20 aircraft. These were acquired in the early 2000s and were upgraded with newer radar and modern avionics.
Notably, 66 Block 70 aircraft ordered by Taiwan are equipped with the same radar, but carry conformal fuel tanks mounted along the fuselage, which are aerodynamic tanks designed to extend range without sacrificing underwing hardpoint carrying capacity.
The jets are powered by the updated General Electric F110 engine instead of the Pratt and Whitney F100 engine equipped to the older models.
Officials have noted that Taiwan’s pilots, technicians, and maintenance crews have already spent time training in the U.S. to ensure the seamless addition to the nation's defense forces.
