The first batch of Taiwan’s new-build Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighter jets has arrived on the island, according to the country’s military.
Taiwan’s Military News Agency reported that two aircraft arrived at Chihhang Air Base near the eastern city of Taitung. Photographs released by the agency showed the two single-seat F-16s, carrying serial numbers 6727 and 6728, landing at the base.
The two aircraft are the first of 66 F-16 Block 70 fighters ordered by Taiwan in 2019. The new fighters will join the Republic of China Air Force’s (ROCAF) 7th Tactical Fighter Wing at Chihhang, replacing the F-5E/F Tiger II fighters that were retired from the unit in 2024.
The newly delivered aircraft will complement Taiwan’s existing fleet of 139 F-16 fighters.
Taiwan’s legacy F-16 fleet has undergone an extensive modernization program, upgrading the aircraft from their original F-16 Block 20 configuration to the F-16V standard under the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) program. Viewers may note, Block 70 is also known as variant V or Viper.
The upgraded F-16V fleet achieved Final Operational Capability in 2021, with the final modernized aircraft delivered in 2023.
This is a major development and needs deep examination.
Source: Defense Updates
