Taiwan is set to receive the first two of 66 F-16V fighter jets ordered from the United States in 2019, following months of delays as Taipei moves to strengthen its air force amid increased Chinese military activity.
The aircraft are due to arrive at Taitung air base on Friday, with Defence Minister Wellington Koo saying more jets would be delivered before the end of the year.
“Of course we won’t only have delivered these two by year-end,” Koo told reporters in Taipei, without providing further details.
The United States approved the $8 billion sale of the Lockheed Martin F-16Vs in 2019. Once delivered, the aircraft will increase Taiwan’s F-16 fleet to more than 200 jets.
The programme has faced delays, including software-related problems, while Taiwan has repeatedly raised concerns over delays to US weapons deliveries.
The new F-16Vs feature upgraded avionics, weapons and radar systems designed to enhance Taiwan’s ability to respond to Chinese military aircraft, including J-20 stealth fighters. Taiwan completed an upgrade programme for its existing F-16 fleet in 2023.
The delivery comes nearly a week after US President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Trump said in May that he was holding a new $14 billion arms package for Taiwan in abeyance, although he approved an $11 billion package in December 2025.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly urged Washington to stop supplying arms to the island. Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest delivery.
A US State Department spokesperson said Washington continued to stand with its friends and allies across the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan.
The United States is legally required to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, although the two sides do not have formal diplomatic relations.
Most countries avoid selling weapons to Taiwan because of concerns about provoking China. The United States has also not supplied Taiwan with its most advanced fighter jets, such as the F-22 or F-35.
