Lockheed Martin begins F-16 Block 70 flight tests for Taiwan

Lockheed Martin has begun flight testing the first of the 66 new F-16 Block 70 fighters being acquired by the Taiwan Air Force, marking a significant advance in the service’s ongoing modernisation programme. The development offers a clearer indication of progress in building a fleet intended to replace the ageing Mirage 2000 aircraft.

The tests came only days after confirmation that the US manufacturer had carried out taxi trials with the same aircraft. This has led analysts to anticipate the formal start of deliveries, following several delays affecting the procurement programme.

First Taiwan Air Force F-16 Block 70 flight test

The aircraft is understood to be serial number 6831, a two-seat variant unveiled earlier this year during a ceremony attended by representatives of the US Congress and Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence. Its flight test took place yesterday at around midday and lasted approximately 50 minutes at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Greenville, South Carolina.

Taiwan’s expanding F-16 fleet

Taiwan is acquiring 66 new F-16 Block 70 fighters, which will complement the 139 aircraft upgraded from the Block 20 configuration to the Viper standard under the programme known as Peace Phoenix Rising. The work was originally intended to cover all 144 aircraft in Taiwan’s fleet, but accidents resulted in the loss of several jets from Air Force service and consequently affected the programme.

Once deliveries of the new aircraft have been completed, the island will operate a substantial total of 205 F-16 fighters across both fleets.

Lockheed Martin stated earlier this month that around 54 aircraft from the new 66-jet batch were already on the assembly line. This is a notable figure, particularly as 50 aircraft had reached that stage in October, suggesting that manufacturing is gathering pace.

Delivery delays and production timetable

Nevertheless, the delays affecting the 66-aircraft programme remain relevant. Taiwan invested nearly US$8 billion in the purchase, and the Taiwanese legislature has repeatedly voiced concern during parliamentary questioning. The matter became significant enough for Air Force Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Lee Ching-jan to be called upon to provide further details on the programme.

Defence Minister Wellington Koo, meanwhile, sought to provide greater reassurance by stating that an agreement had been reached with Lockheed Martin to accelerate the schedule through work conducted on two shifts.

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