The Republic of China (Taiwan) Ministry of National Defence is seeking compensation from the United States and Lockheed Martin after repeated delays in the delivery of its new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, raising concerns about the island’s air defence modernization amid growing tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
The $8.2 billion deal, signed in 2019 under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, covers 66 new F-16 Block 70 fighters. The original plan called for all aircraft to be delivered by the end of 2026. However, only two aircraft have been completed so far, and both remain in the United States.
According to Lieutenant General Lee Ching-ran, Chief of Staff of the Republic of China Air Force Command, the first aircraft is now expected to arrive in Taiwan only in September 2026, marking a significant delay from the original schedule. Taiwanese officials have repeatedly raised the issue with Washington and are requesting assistance in obtaining compensation from the manufacturer.
Rather than seeking only financial reimbursement, Taiwan says compensation could include:
Additional spare parts
Technical and engineering support
Maintenance assistance
Software upgrades
Extended warranty coverage
Officials believe these measures would provide greater long-term operational benefits by improving aircraft availability and reducing maintenance costs.
Premier Cho Jung-tai previously stated that legal action against the manufacturer had not been ruled out. However, because the purchase was made through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program rather than a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS), Taiwan has limited legal options for pursuing direct compensation.
The delays are part of a broader backlog of U.S. military equipment deliveries to Taiwan, which exceeded $21.45 billion by the end of 2025.
The F-16 Block 70 fleet is expected to become the backbone of Taiwan’s future air defence capability, replacing aging aircraft and strengthening deterrence as China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force rapidly expands its fleet with advanced fifth-generation fighters while continuing development of sixth-generation aircraft.
The continued delivery delays highlight the challenges facing Taiwan’s military modernization at a time when regional security concerns remain at their highest in decades.
