TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Air Force plans to spend an additional NT$4 billion (US$121.09 million) to extend a training program for F-16V pilots in the US, reports said Wednesday.
According to the original plan signed in 2019, the NT$9.56 billion program was to reach completion at the end of 2024. However, the Ministry of National Defense and the US agreed to extend its duration until Sept. 15, 2026, taking the total cost to NT$13.53 billion, the Liberty Times reported.
Since 1997, when Taiwan procured 150 F-16 Block 20 fighter jets from the US, the Air Force had been sending about 10 aircraft and pilots at a time to train with the 21st Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. The training later moved to Morris Air National Guard Base in the same state.
The new contract will also cover the 66 F-16V Block 70 jets costing a total of NT$247.2 billion. Delivery of the new aircraft was expected to start soon and to be completed by the end of 2026.
