TAIPEI, Taiwan – Taiwan Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng mentioned on Thursday that the supply of 66 superior new F-16Vs from the United States has been delayed as a result of provide chain disruptions and the ministry was working to reduce the injury and “make up deficiencies”.
The United States in 2019 authorized an $8 billion sale of Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, a deal that may take the island’s F-16 fleet to greater than 200 jets, the biggest in Asia, to strengthen its defenses within the face of a stepped up menace from China, which claims Taiwan as its personal.
Taiwan has been changing 141 F-16A/B jets into the F-16V kind and has as well as ordered 66 new F-16Vs, which have new avionics, weapons and radar techniques to raised face down the Chinese air drive, together with its J-20 stealth fighter.
The first of the brand new F-16Vs was meant to be delivered within the fourth quarter of this yr however that has been delayed to the third quarter of subsequent yr as a result of pandemic-related provide chain disruptions, the ministry mentioned.
Speaking to reporters at parliament, Chiu mentioned Taiwan had requested the United States to “make up the deficiency”, together with prioritizing spare half deliveries for the present fleet.
“Multiple channels are being used, and we are minimizing the damage from this,” he mentioned, including they nonetheless anticipated to get the total order delivered earlier than 2026.
The ministry is utilizing diplomatic channels, reminiscent of by way of the de facto US embassy in Taipei, to resolve the issue, Chiu mentioned.
The de facto embassy, the American Institute in Taiwan, didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Lockheed Martin mentioned it has a long-standing partnership with Taiwan, supporting its nationwide protection, interoperability with the United States and making certain regional safety. The firm mentioned additional questions concerning Taiwan overseas navy gross sales needs to be directed to the US authorities and the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense.
Taiwan has since final yr complained of delays to US weapons deliveries, reminiscent of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as producers flip provides to Ukraine because it battles invading Russian forces, and the problem has involved US lawmakers.
Congressman Michael McCaul, chairman of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, mentioned throughout a go to to Taipei final month that he was doing every part potential to hurry up arms deliveries. — Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
