Taiwan submits request to purchase new F-16 Vipers from US

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 Viper, as offered to Slovakia.


Reports from Taiwan emerged on a recent move by the Taiwanese government to submit a formal request with the US government to purchase up to 66 new Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper fighter aircraft worth US$13 billion.

Based on reports, the request was submitted to the US government on 27 February 2019.

The request covers the supply and delivery of the fighter aircraft for the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF), and on training, after-sales support, and air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions.

Taiwan currently faces pressure as the People's Republic of China surpassed Taiwan in military capability, while also having trouble replacing its ageing assets due to lack of willing countries to sell new weapon systems to the island nation despite the willingness to pay.

The ROCAF has an ongoing program to upgrade its fleet of around 140 units of early generation F-16A/B Fighting Falcons into the Block 70/72 Viper standard. The ROCAF is also looking at replacing its fleet of Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II light combat aircraft which are already in their advanced age and needs immediate replacement as it face newer fighter aircraft from the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

It is expected that China would be against this request, as it has always been in all of Taiwan's defense procurement requests to foreign governments including the US.


[1] Taiwan News
[2] Defence Blog
[2] Nikkei Asia Review
Taiwan submits request to purchase new F-16 Vipers from US Taiwan submits request to purchase new F-16 Vipers from US Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on March 07, 2019 Rating: 5

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