US, Taiwan Try to Find a Way to Accelerate F-16 Delivery
- January 21, 2022
- Posted by: Quatro Strategies
- Category: Defense
The United States and Taiwan are looking for a way to accelerate the delivery of Taiwan’s next generation F-16s. The U.S. aims to bolster Taiwan’s air force against increasing Chinese military presence near the island. Under current conditions the delivery is planned for 2026. While there is intention to accelerate it, the officials have not yet come up with a solution.
Taiwanese government has also expressed its wish for a faster delivery to the Biden administration.
With this latest purchase of 66 F-16 C/D Block 70 aircraft, Taiwan is set to own one of the largest F-16 fleets in Asia, a total of more than 200 aircraft by 2026. The $8 billion deal was made in 2019.
The decision whether to accelerate deliveries will come down to Biden administration’s priorities. The U.S. may go forward with Taiwan’s wishes if it feels the island’s defense needs are more urgent than that of other U.S. allies.
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