The first batch of F-16V (blk70) fighter jets purchased by the Taiwan Air Force from the United States is scheduled to fly back to Taiwan in the near future and land at Zhihang Air Base in Taitung. According to military sources speaking on August 18, 2026, while preparations are underway, the exact routing details and final arrival schedule are still to be determined by the United States, and the specific timeline has not yet been confirmed.
This procurement program, code-named Project "Feng Xiang" (鳳翔專案), involves the acquisition of 66 brand-new F-16V (blk70) fighter jets. The air force allocated a continuous budget of NT$247,228,830,000 spanning from the year 109 to 115 (2020 to 2026) for the project. Although the original plan called for "all" 66 jets to fly back to Taiwan within this year, the schedule experienced slight delays due to complex factors including assembly line relocation, plant restarts, and supply chain disruptions. In response, the US side has implemented a two-shift, 20-hour daily work schedule to accelerate production.
This project is distinct from Project "Feng Zhan" (鳳展專案), under which the Air Force partnered with US manufacturer Lockheed Martin and Hanxiang to upgrade 140 existing F-16A/B fighter jets to the F-16V (blk20) configuration. This upgrade program was fully completed in December 112 (December 2023), successfully enhancing the capabilities of the existing fleet.
According to previous briefings by the Air Force, the new F-16V (blk70) features greater engine thrust, an optimized airframe structure, and an extended operational range through the use of conformal fuel tanks. Additionally, the aircraft offers beyond-visual-range combat capabilities and partial stealth characteristics. It is also equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which integrates multiple capabilities including air search, tracking, weapon control, electronic warfare, and communications.
