Taiwan hopes the delayed F-16s will start arriving by the end of this year, by Reuters

TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Friday it was targeting delivery of the first new F-16V fighter jets by the end of this year, blaming “acute fluctuations” in the international situation for delays on the receiving island.

In 2019, the United States approved a sale of $8 billion Lockheed Martin (NYSE: ) F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, a deal that would bring the island’s F-16 fleet to more than 200 planes, the largest in Asia, to bolster its defenses against an increased threat from China , who sees Taiwan as his own.

Taiwan has converted 141 F-16A/B aircraft to the F-16V type and ordered 66 new F-16Vs, which have advanced avionics, weapons and radar systems to better counter China’s air force, including the stealth J-20. fighter.

But Taiwan has complained about delays for the new F-16Vs, saying problems include software problems.

In an update on the deliveries, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said the first batch of new F-16Vs was due to be sent in the third quarter of this year.

“Due to sharp fluctuations in the international situation, which resulted in a compounding impact, such as delays in deliveries from some suppliers and adjustments to the US assembly schedule, there has been a partial adjustment to when they will leave the factory,” it is shown in the press release. in a statement.

The ministry “will strive to complete the transportation of the first aircraft in the fourth quarter.”

The Air Force will closely monitor the production schedule and conduct factory visits with the goal of completing deliveries by the end of 2026, he added.

Lockheed Martin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Taiwan has reported delays in deliveries of US weapons such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles starting in 2022 as the manufacturers provide supplies to Ukraine to help it fight Russian forces, and the issue has concerned US lawmakers.

Taiwan’s air force is well-trained, but some of its fighter jets are aging, including its fleet of French-made Mirage 2000s, first received in 1997. One crashed into the sea this week during a training exercise.

The air force has repeatedly sought to eliminate Chinese military aircraft flying near the island over the past five years.

Taiwan’s government rejects China’s claims of sovereignty.