Taiwan Takes Delivery of its First F-16 Block 70 Fighter Jet from the U.S.

Key Officials Attend Ceremony as Taiwan Bolsters Air Defense with Advanced Aircraft

Taipei, March 29 – In a significant development for Taiwan's defense capabilities, Vice Defense Minister Po Horng-huei (柏鴻輝) attended the delivery ceremony for the first F-16 C/D block 70 fighter jet purchased from the United States.

The event, held at Lockheed Martin's production facility in Greenville, South Carolina, was highlighted by images shared on social media by Congressman William Timmons. Alexander Yui (俞大㵢), Taiwan's representative to the United States, was also present.

"We are so proud to be the global home of the F-16 and to support Taiwan's air defense capabilities," wrote Timmons in a post regarding the event.

Earlier in the month, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) had hinted at the attendance of a Vice Defense Minister during a legislative hearing, though specifics were not disclosed.

The delivered aircraft, identified by tail number 6831, is a two-seater variant of the advanced F-16 C/D block 70.

This fighter jet is part of a larger arms sale package approved in 2019 during the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Taiwan has ordered a total of 66 F-16Vs.

The Ministry of National Defense anticipates the full delivery of all 66 F-16 fighter jets from the United States by the end of 2026.