The first two of 66 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets purchased by Taiwan, bearing serial numbers 6727 and 6728, departed the United States on August 17, 2026, Eastern Time, and are expected to arrive in Taiwan soon. The trans-Pacific flight involves aerial refueling and a maintenance stop to accommodate pilot endurance and aircraft performance limits.
The procurement is conducted under Taiwan's "Peace Phoenix Soaring" program, budgeted at NT$247.2 billion ($7.74 billion). Deliveries were delayed from the original 2023-2024 schedule due to production line relocation and aerospace supply chain disruptions. The remaining 63 aircraft are scheduled for delivery through 2027 and 2028, with the full fleet to be stationed at Zhihang Air Base in Taitung.
Separately, under the "Peace Phoenix Rising" program, Lockheed Martin and AIDC upgraded 140 existing F-16A/B jets to the F-16V configuration, completing the work in December 2023.
