Taiwan has taken delivery of its first two brand-new F-16V Block 70 fighter jets, a boost for the island's air defense and a signal to Beijing.

• The two jets landed at Chihhang Air Base in Taitung on Thursday, the first of 66 ordered from the United States.
• They flew from Texas to Hawaii in August, then on through Guam with several mid-air refuelings before reaching Taiwan.
• The deal is worth about NT$247 billion and has been funded over several years, making it one of Taiwan's biggest arms purchases.
• The Block 70 is the newest version of the F-16, with better radar and electronics than the older jets Taiwan already flies.

Outlook: The rest of the 66 jets are due to arrive in batches, steadily upgrading Taiwan's air force as pressure from China continues.