Taiwan’s air force said three F-16V Block 70 fighters landed at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung County at about 11 a.m. on Sunday. The Taipei Times reported it is the second batch, following the first two jets delivered on October 2.
The Taipei Times reported that the three jets, tail numbers 6729, 6731 and 6732, landed at about 11 a.m. on Sunday. The air force said the first to land, 6732, displayed the Republic of China flag in the cockpit. The pilot of 6731, the last down, flashed a ‘21’ hand sign to the crowd, which ground crew recognized as the signature of the 21st Fighter Squadron.
광고 문의 · 300×250Sources told the paper that the pilot, a 2014 Air Force Academy graduate, is one of Taiwan’s first female F-16 pilots. We have not independently confirmed the name and do not print it. The photo was taken by a Taipei Times reporter, with CNA contributing to the report.
Route and next steps
The aircraft left Lockheed Martin’s factory in South Carolina earlier this month and reached Hawaii on the Wednesday before the report. The Air Force Command Headquarters said it will run familiarization training to bring the jets into service and build initial operational capability. Specific basing plans and the training timeline were not confirmed in the report.
Washington approved the sale of 66 F-16Vs and related equipment to Taiwan in 2019 for about US$8 billion. The Taipei Times said deliveries were originally to start in 2023 and finish in 2026, but technical problems pushed the schedule back. The first two jets were handed over on October 2.
China has consistently opposed US arms sales to Taiwan. Whether Beijing issued a new statement on this arrival could not be confirmed. Taipei says such acquisitions strengthen its defense capability. The schedule for the remaining aircraft awaits an announcement from the air force or the manufacturer.
