Taiwan’s defense ministry said the much-awaited deliveries of F-16V fighter jets it purchased from the US could finally commence in 2026.
This as the ministry disclosed that all issues related to the production and delivery of the American fifth-generation aircraft have been resolved.
In 2019, the US State Department approved the sale of 66 F-16Vs to the small island nation as part of an $8-billion deal.
Initial deliveries were originally scheduled for 2023, but they did not push through due to software integration issues with equipment Taiwan wants to install.
Further delays were announced last year due to technical and supply chain challenges, as the US prioritized the supply of weapons to war-torn Ukraine.
Still Challenging
Taipei urgently needs modern aircraft to make its military stronger and more resilient in the face of increasing pressure from China.
Beijing views Taiwan as its renegade province, with which it must be reunited.
Although the self-ruled island is expected to receive two F-16V prototypes later this year to undergo flight tests, several reports indicate that Lockheed Martin may still struggle to deliver all 66 aircraft under order by 2026.
Multiple orders are still in place from European countries, as NATO expedites the delivery of much-needed F-16 jets to Kyiv.
Arms backlog for Taipei also continues to rise, with Harpoon missiles, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and Patriot air defense missiles pending delivery.
Compensation Clauses
Taiwan can ask for compensation from Lockheed Martin over the delayed delivery of F-16s, according to a report by Focus Taiwan, citing the Ministry of National Defense.
Certain provisions in the contract reportedly set out “punishments” for contractors who do not meet their delivery deadlines for “non-force majeure reasons.”
The island nation should first identify damages it sustained as a result of the delays and issue a demand for compensation to the US government through bilateral security channels.
It is still unclear if the Taiwanese government will exercise this provision.
