Taiwan hails F-16V delivery as sign US support holds after Xi-Trump summit - South China Morning Post

Gabriel DominguezPublished: 6:00pm, 2 Oct 2026Updated: 8:07pm, 2 Oct 2026Taiwan has hailed the much-delayed arrival of two F-16V fighter jets as a demonstration of continuing American military support, despite a US presidential hold put on a separate multibilllion-dollar arms package.

The two single-seat aircraft, which reached Chihhang Air Base in the eastern county of Taitung on Friday, are the first new F-16s received by the island since deliveries of its original F-16A/B fleet began in 1997.

Compared with the earlier versions, the F-16V configuration incorporates the Northrop Grumman APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar, updated avionics and improved target detection and tracking capabilities.

The pair are part of a NT$247.2 billion (US$7.76 billion) sale of 66 F-16Vs approved by Washington in August 2019, during US President Donald Trump’s first term.