Taiwan Air Force (ROCAF) inaugurated today (18) the first full squadron of F-16V Viper Block 70 fighters. At the ceremony, President Tsai Ing-wen reinforced the military partnership between Washington and Taipei, amid rising tensions with China.
The ceremony took place this Thursday morning at Chiayi Air Base, headquarters of the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, in the west of the country. Taiwan is upgrading 141 F-16A/B Fighting Falcon fighters to the latest standard, which includes an AESA radar, datalink, and new avionics and mission computers.
The aircraft upgrade, valued at $3,91 billion, is led by Lockheed Martin with the Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC). The work is carried out under the Phoenix Rising Program. In addition to modernization, another 66 new fighters were also acquired for US$ 8,04 billion.
ROCAF F-16AM (F-16V) on static display with three live AIM-120s on each wing at the FOC declaration ceremony today at Chiayi. Funnily there is a QR code stenciled on this AMRAAM contracted in 2008. (Credit: Wayne Hsu Facebook) pic.twitter.com/46xmgpUqio
— Roy Choo (@RXRoy) November 18, 2021
In the presentation of the fighters, one of the aircraft was equipped with real AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM missiles. This is the most advanced version of one of the main missiles in the US arsenal. Other fighters were also exposed with AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles and GBU-12 Paveway laser-guided bombs.
Tsai said the project shows the firm commitment of the Taiwan-US partnership, says the Reuters. “I believe that as long as we adhere to the values of democracy and freedom, there will be more countries that think like us”, said the president, speaking on the same stage as the top US diplomat in Taiwan, Sandra Oudkirk.
【#TsaiIng-wen acceptance #F16V BLK20 performance improvement]
【US-Taiwan Defense Industry Cooperation】
President Tsai Ing-wen attended the F-18V BLK16 performance improvement and assembly ceremony at the Chiayi base on the 20th.She said that the F-16V upgrade and installation represent three important meanings for the further progress of Taiwan-US friendship, the further improvement of Taiwan's aerospace technology, and the strengthening of national defense capabilities. Director of AIT #Sun Xiaoya Also attend.
At the same time, it was reported that a t aircraft invaded the Southwest Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone. pic.twitter.com/BmWD5lPfdt- 自由 亚洲 电台 (@RFA_Chinese) November 18, 2021
The United States has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but it is the island's main international financier and arms supplier. Such a partnership irritates China, which sees Taiwan as rebel territory.
In the first five days of October, 150 Chinese planes were in Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). On 04/10, Beijing launched its biggest daily raid, where 56 aircraft were present in the area in less than 24 hours.
The sale of new aircraft is expected to bring Taiwan's F-16 fleet to more than 200 fighters, the largest in Asia. Because of this movement, along with the modernization of existing aircraft, the China announced sanctions against Lockheed Martin for selling weapons to Taiwan.
