Taiwan receives first two US-built F-16V fighter jets from 66-plane order

Arrival at Taitung air base

The first two Lockheed Martin F-16V fighter jets touched down at Taitung air base on Taiwan's mountainous southeastern coast at 12:00 local time (04:00 GMT) on Friday, 2 October 2026. The arrival marks the initial delivery under an $8 billion contract for 66 aircraft approved by Washington in 2019 during Donald Trump's first presidential administration. Taiwan and mainland China have been governed separately since 1949, following the communist victory in Beijing and the nationalist government's departure to Taipei. Beijing claims sovereignty over the democratically governed island, protesting foreign arms sales and refusing to renounce the use of force. The Chinese foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment on Friday regarding the arrival of the aircraft. Taiwan's air force routinely scrambles jets to shadow and monitor Chinese military flights operating near its airspace.

Fleet expansion and technical capabilities

The fourth-generation F-16V features modernized radar, avionics, and weapons systems designed to improve Taiwan's air defense capabilities against advanced Chinese aircraft, including stealthy J-20 fighters. Fulfilling the 66-aircraft purchase will increase Taiwan's total operational F-16 fleet to more than 200 jets. Taiwan previously completed an upgrade program for 141 older F-16 A/B airframes by the end of 2023. Most foreign governments avoid weapons sales to Taiwan to prevent diplomatic friction with Beijing, making the United States the island's primary international military provider.

Speaking to reporters at the parliament in Taipei on Friday, Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo confirmed that further aircraft deliveries would follow shortly.

Of course we won't only have delivered these two by year-end.

Delivery delays and technical hurdles

The transfer follows months of delivery delays linked to software problems and production backlogs. The two aircraft were originally scheduled to reach Taiwan in early September 2026 after completing planned refueling stops in Hawaii and Guam. Taiwanese media reported that the planes reversed course toward Hawaii shortly after taking off for Guam, with officials offering no explanation for the turnaround. Koo had previously stated that delivering all 66 aircraft before the close of 2026 would remain difficult, even though Lockheed Martin increased production speeds at its facilities.

Diplomatic relations and defense packages

The delivery took place one week after Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. While Washington approved an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan in December 2025, Trump stated in May 2026 that he was holding a subsequent $14 billion package in abeyance. The United States has supplied billions of dollars in fighter planes, missiles, and warships to bolster Taiwan's defense capabilities, operating under US legal requirements despite the lack of official diplomatic ties.

A spokesperson for the US State Department addressed the arrival of the fighters and reiterated American commitments to regional partners.

We continue standing with friends and allies across the Indo-Pacific to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values -- that includes Taiwan,