Air-Force Taiwan seeks early F-16V delivery, interested in long-range missile

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Taiwan seeks early F-16V delivery, interested in long-range missile​

Reports say Taiwan has set aside NT$30 billion for AGM-158 cruise missiles​

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By Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
2021/10/16 16:55
[IMG alt="The AGM-158 JASSM missile. (Wikicommons, USAF photo)
"]https://tnimage.s3.hicloud.net.tw/photos/2021/10/16/1634374261-616a927529608.jpg[/IMG]
The AGM-158 JASSM missile. (Wikicommons, USAF photo)
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is reportedly seeking early delivery of 66 F-16V fighter jets, while also hoping to procure more than 100 AGM-158 long-range missiles capable of hitting China, the Liberty Times reported Saturday (Oct. 16).
Taiwan signed the deal for the F-16V jets in 2019, with the first two aircraft scheduled to arrive from the United States in 2023, and full delivery completed in 2026. However, China’s recent show of force sending dozens of warplanes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) has raised the urgency of acquiring new weapons systems.
According to the Liberty Times, Taiwan officials have contacted the U.S. with the request to start delivering the F-16V jets in 2022 and to have more than the originally planned two planes. While Bahrain, Slovakia, and Bulgaria have also ordered new jets, Taiwan faces a more immediate threat, making it more likely to receive the planes at an earlier date.
In addition, Taiwan has begun discussions with the U.S. on procuring AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM). The cruise missiles can hit targets 370 kilometers away, including military installations on China’s coast.
The report also said that Taiwan had prepared a budget of NT$30 billion (US$1.07 billion) to acquire more than 100 missiles.

Taiwan seeks early F-16V delivery, interested in long-range missile | Taiwan News | 2021-10-16 16:55:00

Reports say Taiwan has set aside NT$30 billion for AGM-158 cruise missiles | 2021-10-16 16:55:00

www.taiwannews.com.tw