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31 May 2023
by Akhil Kadidal
Taiwan is becoming increasingly reliant on its Lockheed Martin F-16 fleet in the face of growing Chinese air power in the region. (Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
Lockheed Martin is working to resolve potential delays associated with F-16V Block 70/72 fighters ordered by Taiwan, the company told
Janes
on 30 May.
The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense (MND) said on 24 May that a combination of technical problems and bottlenecks could delay the delivery of the fighter aircraft to Taiwan.
Janes
has earlier reported the Taiwan order of 66 F-16V Block 70/72 fighters. The order was preceded by the US government’s approval for the USD8 billion deal in August 2019.
Speaking at the Taiwanese parliament earlier in May, Taiwanese Minister for National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng initially attributed the delay of the F-16Vs to disruptions in the supply chain. On 25 May however, Kuo-cheng clarified that the delays were due to the F-16V’s flight control software.
A Lockheed Martin spokesperson told
Janes
that the company “is working closely with the US government to address challenges in support of US security co-operation objectives”.
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