World·Indo-Pacific
U.S. delivers two F-16V Block 70 fighters to Taiwan amid China threat
Two Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 fighter jets arrived in Taiwan on Friday as part of an $8 billion deal for 66 aircraft approved in President Trump’s first term, Al Jazeera reported, citing AFP and Reuters. The jets, which flew via Hawaii and Guam, landed around noon local time (4:00 a.m. GMT) at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung after months of delay amid Chinese pressure on Washington to stop arming the island. Taiwan’s defense minister, Wellington Koo, said more of the jets would be delivered by year’s end; a State Department spokesperson said the United States continues to stand with friends and allies across the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan.
Sources
- Al Jazeera / AFP / ReutersUS delivers F-16V fighter jets to Taiwan as island eyes threat from China