Duncan Looi
TAIWAN received its first two of 66 new Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 fighter jets ordered in 2019 followings months of delays, arriving at the Republic of China Air Force’s (ROCAF) Chihhang Air Base last week.
According to media reports, the ROCAF will begin acceptance procedures, conversion training, and other preparations to bring the new fighters into operational service gradually. Established in December 2023, the 7th Tactical Fighter Wing will comprise the 66 jets in via its subordinate units in three phases.
Taiwan acquired the aircraft in a US$7.75 billion deal from the US, fitted with advanced avionics, weapons and radar systems to better counter threats while an upgrade programme for Taiwan’s existing F-16s was completed in 2023. The first two aircraft were supposed to have been handed over in 2023 but were reportedly delayed due to COVID-19, software issues and hardware defects.
The F-16V is equipped with the L3Harris Viper Shield all-digital electronic warfare system, integrated with the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and enabling it to detect, identify, and counter electronic threats.
Additionally, the jets carry AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM), AIM-9-series Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles (AAM), AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) anti-radiation missiles, AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles (AShM), AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon(JSOW) and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM). Pilots are also equipped with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System II (JHMCS II), which allows them to aim weapons and cue sensors by looking at a target.
The defence minister Wellington Koo said that more F-16Vs will be delivered to Taiwan “before the end of the year”, but did not disclose the number of units. Some of the remaining Block 70s are said to have reached the stage of being ready for delivery. Local media reports also reported that the ROCAF is planning to despatch personnel to the US next year for a meeting on the procurement of operational-support equipment, weapons and ordnance for the aircraft.–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:ROCAF)
