Taiwan has begun receiving its next-generation F-16V Block 70 fleet, with the first two aircraft arriving at Chihhang Air Base as part of the country’s effort to reinforce air defenses against pressure from Beijing. The fighters, numbered 6727 and 6728, are single-seat models that reached eastern Taiwan after a Pacific ferry operation involving stops at Hawaii and Guam.The aircraft were accompanied into Taiwanese airspace by Brave Eagle advanced trainers and upgraded F-16V Block 20 fighters. Their arrival will be followed by acceptance inspections and conversion training conducted by the Republic of China Air Force. The jets are earmarked for the newly created 7th Tactical Fighter Wing, while Chihhang transitions from a training-focused installation into a primary combat base.This shipment launches deliveries under the 247.2-billion new Taiwan dollar ($7.7-billion) Phoenix Project, which covers 66 Lockheed Martin-built F-16V aircraft. Manufacturing and supply-chain problems delayed the program from its original end-2026 completion objective. Defense Minister Wellington Koo said Washington has already coordinated additional deliveries, with another batch expected before the end of 2026.After all 66 new fighters enter service, Taiwan will have more than 200 F-16Vs, including the 139 F-16A/B aircraft upgraded under a separate modernization program completed in 2023. The Block 70 configuration features updated avionics, an AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar from Northrop Grumman, the L3Harris Viper Shield electronic warfare system and conformal fuel tanks. Its F110-GE-129 engine from General Electric supports weapons such as AIM-120D, AGM-88 and Harpoon missiles.
