Taiwan receives first two Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighters, beginning deliveries under its 66-aircraft U.S. purchase

By Hannah Miller (Defence Industry Europe)

Air | October 2, 2026

Taiwan receives first two Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighters, beginning deliveries under its 66-aircraft U.S. purchase

Photo: CNA News.

Taiwan’s first two Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 70 fighters landed at an air base near Taitung on October 2. Their arrival begins deliveries of newly built aircraft under Taiwan’s order for 66 F-16C/D Block 70 jets.

The delivery flight departed Greenville in mid-August. The aircraft made an extended stop in Hawaii beginning August 20, with neither side disclosing the reason.

Taiwan acquired the aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. The 66-aircraft purchase is the largest order to date for the Block 70 variant, with the first jet unveiled in March 2025.

The new fighters will complement Taiwan’s upgraded F-16V fleet. They will also operate alongside its Dassault Mirage 2000 and AIDC F-CK-1 aircraft.

Lockheed Martin has delivered at least 37 F-16C/D Block 70 fighters operated by Bahrain, Bulgaria and Slovakia. Its order book covers approximately 123 Block 70 and Block 72 aircraft for Bulgaria, Taiwan, Morocco, Jordan and Peru.

The total excludes 40 F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft that Turkey was expected to order. Lockheed Martin has not yet included those aircraft in its published figure.

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Taiwan receives first two Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighters, beginning deliveries under its 66-aircraft U.S. purchase

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