The delivery schedule for 66 F-16V fighter jets that the United States plans to supply to Taiwan has fallen behind. In a statement from the Taiwanese Air Force, it was noted that technical difficulties in system integration have seriously slowed down the delivery process.
F-16V Modernisation Brings Additional Challenges
Equipped with advanced sensors and weapons systems, the F-16V (Viper) is a modernised version of the classic F-16C/D platform. However, this new configuration has encountered unexpected technical hurdles during production due to the need for additional testing and software integration.
Only One Jet Delivered
As of the end of March 2025, only one F-16V has been delivered to Taiwan. According to the original schedule, many more were expected to be delivered within this year. Taiwanese officials still aim to complete deliveries by the end of 2026, though they acknowledge that the current production pace puts this goal at risk.
Project Management Crisis: U.S. Contractor Makes Leadership Changes
In response to the delays, the U.S. contractor removed two project managers from their positions. Additionally, Taiwan has appointed a new liaison officer to monitor the production process more closely. The U.S. Air Force has begun requesting monthly progress reports from the contractor.
Taiwan: Reaching the Goal Is Possible but Difficult
A senior Taiwanese military official stated, “The order size is not particularly large. If production is accelerated, the 2026 target can still be met.” However, the official emphasised that this depends directly on how quickly the integration issues can be resolved.
