Taiwan's air force took delivery of three more new F-16V fighter jets from the US, a steady step forward in a long-running upgrade of its air defenses amid ongoing tension with China.

• Three F-16V (Block 70) jets landed at Taitung's Chihhang air base, the second batch under a multi-year purchase program.
• The jets are part of a 66-plane order from the US under a project worth about NT$247 billion, funded through the country's defense budget from 2020 to 2026.
• These are brand-new aircraft, not upgrades of Taiwan's older 1990s-era F-16 fleet, and are built to carry a range of air-to-air and anti-ship missiles and guided bombs.
• The delivery continues Taiwan's broader effort to modernize its military as it faces pressure from China.

Outlook: More batches of the 66 jets are expected to arrive over the coming years as the program continues through 2026.