First Two F-16Vs Arrive in Taiwan from US; China’s Defense Ministry Criticizes Arms Purchases
Dragon Media News Desk
The first two of the 66 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets the United States is supplying to Taiwan arrived on the island on Friday. After months of delays, the aircraft landed at Chihang Air Base on Taiwan’s east coast.
In 2019, the United States approved a deal to sell Taiwan 66 aircraft for about $8 billion. Deliveries were delayed by software and other problems. After the aircraft arrived, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te thanked the United States for its support and described the delivery as an important step in strengthening the island’s air defenses. Defense Minister Wellington Koo said more aircraft would arrive soon but did not give a timeline.
On September 24, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin commented on the aircraft deliveries, saying Taiwan’s authorities were spending taxpayers’ hard-earned money on unnecessary arms purchases. Such purchases, he said, could not provide security but would drain Taiwan’s finances and bring disaster to its people. The remarks came before the aircraft arrived, following reports that they had turned back while en route. Setopati reported that China’s Foreign Ministry had not responded to Reuters’ request for comment on Friday’s arrival by the time its report was published.
The F-16V Block 70 is the latest production version of the US F-16 Fighting Falcon. It is equipped with an APG-83 AESA radar, an advanced cockpit, an upgraded mission computer, modern communications and weapons systems, and an automatic ground-collision avoidance system. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin says the aircraft has a structural service life of up to 12,000 flight hours. The equipment is expected to enhance Taiwan’s surveillance and air-defense capabilities.
With the arrival of the new aircraft, Taiwan will have more than 200 F-16 fighter jets. The planes, which traveled via Hawaii and Guam, arrived about a week after US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Washington. Trump had earlier said he would not immediately proceed with a proposed additional $14 billion arms package for Taiwan. In December 2025, he approved an $11 billion arms package for the island.
China’s Position
Under China’s one-China principle, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. US arms sales to Taiwan seriously violate international law and the three China-US joint communiqués, and constitute serious interference in China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. China’s Ministry of National Defense has consistently and firmly opposed and criticized US arms sales. The Chinese government firmly opposes any external power supplying arms to Taiwan and will take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. China’s reunification is an inevitable trend of history, and no external force can stop it.
