{"id":26703,"date":"2026-10-03T14:10:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T08:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=26703"},"modified":"2026-10-03T14:10:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T08:25:29","slug":"first-two-f-16vs-arrive-in-taiwan-from-us-chinas-defense-ministry-criticizes-arms-purchases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=26703","title":{"rendered":"First Two F-16Vs Arrive in Taiwan from US; China\u2019s Defense Ministry Criticizes Arms Purchases<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dragon Media News Desk<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u2019s east coast.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s President Lai Ching-te thanked the United States for its support and described the delivery as an important step in strengthening the island\u2019s air defenses. Defense Minister Wellington Koo said more aircraft would arrive soon but did not give a timeline.<\/p>\n

On September 24, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin commented on the aircraft deliveries, saying Taiwan\u2019s authorities were spending taxpayers\u2019 hard-earned money on unnecessary arms purchases. Such purchases, he said, could not provide security but would drain Taiwan\u2019s 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\u2019s Foreign Ministry had not responded to Reuters\u2019 request for comment on Friday\u2019s arrival by the time its report was published.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s surveillance and air-defense capabilities.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

China\u2019s Position<\/h3>\n

Under China\u2019s 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 communiqu\u00e9s, and constitute serious interference in China\u2019s sovereignty and territorial integrity. China\u2019s 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\u2019s reunification is an inevitable trend of history, and no external force can stop it.<\/p>\n

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