Completing the delivery of all 66 F-16V fighter jets ordered from the United States by the end of next year will be “challenging”, Taiwan’s defence minister has conceded, with the island yet to receive any of the aircraft.
The admission from Defence Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung highlights growing concerns in Taiwan over delays to one of its most important arms deals with Washington – a programme regarded as essential to bolstering air power as Beijing steps up military pressure on the island.
Taiwan and the United States were maintaining “close communication” to address issues surrounding the F-16 programme, Koo told reporters in Taipei on Tuesday.
The outlook for the F-16Vs was “already improving” and initial deliveries could begin next year, he said, but acknowledged that completing the full handover on schedule would be “indeed challenging”.
However, Taiwan still hoped production and delivery could be sped up, Koo added.
Asked whether the ministry would fine the US manufacturer Lockheed Martin over the delays, he declined to comment.
