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US to Upgrade Taiwan's F-16A/B Fighters to F-16V Standard to Boost Combat Capabilities.
On December 11, 2024, Leidos Inc., based in Reston, Virginia, announced that it had secured a $987 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide maintenance and logistical support for the upgraded F-16A/B jets, now modernized into the F-16V (Viper) standard, which constitutes a significant portion of Taiwan's fleet. This contract, established under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, ensures the operational readiness of these aircraft until May 31, 2034. Structured as an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, it was initially funded with $1.6 million.
The F-16V is equipped with advanced avionics and weapons systems, enabling it to conduct a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, ground attack, and multi-role engagements. (Picture source: US MoD)
This strategic maintenance program includes critical services such as component repair, technical and engineering support, and solutions to address material shortages and diminishing manufacturing sources. Leveraging modernized aircraft equipped with AN/APG-83 AESA radar and advanced electronic warfare systems, the contract enables Taiwan to maintain an air fleet capable of addressing growing regional threats while strengthening its defense partnership with the United States.
Taiwan, a key U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific region, has been striving for years to modernize its air force to counter increasing military pressure from China. In 1992, Taipei acquired 142 F-16A/B jets, later upgraded to the F-16V standard. In 2019, Washington approved Taiwan’s purchase of 66 new F-16C/D Block 70 jets for $8 billion. With a total of 208 modernized and newly acquired aircraft, Taiwan’s fleet serves as a cornerstone of the island’s defense against potential Chinese invasion.
Simultaneously, Taiwan has enhanced its logistical support. In June 2024, the U.S. State Department approved a $300 million FMS program for spare parts and maintenance equipment for its F-16 fleet. This support aims to sustain the operational availability of the aircraft, critical to Taiwan's airspace defense. These initiatives are part of a broader military modernization strategy to counter increasing Chinese aerial incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
The recently acquired F-16C/D Block 70 jets represent one of the most advanced variants of the renowned multirole fighter. Featuring the AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, these aircraft provide enhanced detection and tracking capabilities, allowing simultaneous engagement of multiple air and ground targets, even in highly contested electronic warfare environments. They are equipped with a modernized cockpit featuring high-resolution displays, simplified systems management, and improved human-machine interface. Powered by the General Electric F110-GE-129 engine, the Block 70 offers enhanced performance and range. Additionally, its advanced avionics and electronic warfare systems make it well-suited for complex missions, whether air superiority or ground strikes. These jets are also compatible with a wide array of munitions, including AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and JDAM guided bombs.
The F-16V (Viper), derived from the modernization of Taiwan’s F-16A/B fleet, features capabilities comparable to the Block 70 standard. These aircraft are equipped with the same AN/APG-83 AESA radar, offering extended detection range and enhanced resistance to electronic countermeasures. The F-16V also includes improved data link systems (Link 16), a battle management system, and a fully modernized cockpit with multifunction displays and enhanced data processing capabilities. Its upgraded electronic warfare suite is designed to counter modern threats, including advanced surface-to-air missiles. Although modernized, the F-16V delivers performance close to that of new variants, retaining its legendary agility and versatility for air defense and strategic strike missions. Together, these platforms provide Taiwan with a modern air force capable of addressing escalating threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
The F-16 is critical to Taiwan’s defense, offering decisive capabilities to counter a Chinese invasion. In the event of an amphibious assault, these fighters equipped with AN/APG-83 AESA radars could detect and engage Chinese naval formations well before they reach Taiwan’s shores, using anti-ship missiles such as the Harpoon. In the air, F-16s armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles would intercept Chinese fighters and bombers, preventing air strikes and establishing air superiority. With their agility and advanced communication systems via Link 16, they could effectively coordinate missions with other Taiwanese defense systems, such as Patriot PAC-3 surface-to-air missile batteries, to create a multilayered defense.
Practically, their extended range and ability to operate from dispersed bases across the island would enhance their resilience against Chinese missile strikes targeting military infrastructure. Moreover, their capability to conduct precision strikes on strategic targets, such as command centers or enemy landing zones, makes them indispensable for slowing down or disorganizing an invasion. The F-16 thus provides Taiwan with a combination of air defense and strategic strike capabilities essential to countering a numerically superior force like China’s.
Military relations between Taiwan and the United States are rooted in the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), adopted in 1979, which guarantees U.S. support for Taiwan’s defense while avoiding formal diplomatic ties. This legal framework commits Washington to providing Taiwan with the means necessary for self-defense. Since then, several FMS agreements have been signed, enhancing Taiwan’s military capabilities. Major deliveries include 66 F-16C/D Block 70 jets (approved in 2019), the modernization of 142 F-16A/B aircraft to the F-16V configuration, Patriot PAC-3 air defense systems, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones approved in 2020 to bolster maritime surveillance capabilities.
In parallel, the U.S. has intensified military cooperation in response to increasing Chinese pressure. In 2022, the Biden administration approved a military training program enabling Taiwanese forces to train with U.S. units at discreet bases. More recently, in 2023, Washington included Taiwan in its Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, providing $80 million in assistance—a first for the island. These agreements and deliveries underscore the crucial role of the United States in strengthening Taiwan’s military modernization and resilience against Chinese military incursions into Taiwan’s ADIZ.
In addition to the F-16s, Taiwan operates a diverse fleet of fighters to defend its airspace. The country employs approximately 103 Mirage 2000-5 jets of French origin, acquired in the 1990s, specializing in interception missions with advanced air-to-air capabilities and MICA missiles. Taiwan also fields around 130 domestically developed F-CK-1 Ching Kuo lightweight fighters, designed for air defense and ground attack missions, equipped with Tien Chien ("Sky Sword") air-to-air missiles and guided bombs. Although older compared to China’s modern fighters, these aircraft are continually upgraded to maintain their effectiveness. Combined with the modernized F-16s, this fleet constitutes a robust and versatile air defense system to counter Chinese incursions into Taiwanese airspace.