Taipei: One of Taiwan's vice defense ministers will soon visit the United States to observe the ceremonial launch of the first F-16 C/D Block 70 that the country has purchased from the United States.
According to Focus Taiwan, Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo revealed this detail during a legislative hearing when asked by Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Chen Chun-yu if he would attend the launch in the U.S. Koo responded, "I will not," indicating that a vice defense minister will attend in his place. Additionally, Air Force Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Wang Te-yang mentioned that one of his deputies is also set to attend.
When questioned about which U.S. officials will be present at the ceremony, Koo stated that the U.S. has provided a tentative register, though he declined to reveal specifics at the hearing. Earlier, on January 16, Koo noted that the plane was undergoing testing after assembly completion, with hopes that testing would conclude by March.
The F-16 C/D Block 70 is one of 66 aircraft Taiwan purchased from the U.S. in an arms sale package approved in 2019 during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term. While the first aircraft was initially scheduled for delivery in 2023, subsequent delivery dates in September and December 2024 have also been missed.