Taiwan has formally sealed a deal to acquire 66 of the newest versions of the U.S. F-16 combat aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp., a move that analysts say could add more fuel to frictions between China and America.
Based on reports Saturday, the Taiwan government has formally signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to procure the fighter jets, further turning up the heat on the Taiwan Straits.
The deal came only two days after China's People's Liberation Army said they would conduct a massive military exercise as a response to U.S. provocations and secessionist activities in the island state.
The contract underscores the first procurement of high-tech warplanes to Taiwan since President George Bush approved the sale of 150 of the earlier model of the aircraft in 1992. The price tag disclosd by the Pentagon is the higher limit of multiple deals if all prospective overseas buyers bid for the biggest number over the period.
The self-governed state with 23 million people has been autonomous since 1949. China views the state as part of its jurisdiction and was granted authority by the U.S. in 2019 to buy 66 of the advanced jets, a move which allows the nation to boost its military capability. At present, Taiwan maintains a fleet of F-16s it procured in 1992.
U.S. military officials announced last week that Lockheed Martin has a ten-year contract to build F-16s for overseass military customers, and the first batch of orders is for 90 fighter jets.
Production of the 90 planes is expected to be complete by late 2026. Lockheed executives have previously stated they estimate to build as many as 400 of the latest fighter. The U.S. is currently the most powerful ally of Taiwan and its main supplier of military hardware.
The Taiwan government's latest deal with the Maryland-based military contractor comes as China strengthens its clout in Hong Kong, implementing a large-scale security legislation on the bustling finacial capital, a move that has worried Taiwan.
A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry said that American weapons sales to Taiwan infringes on the "One China Policy," when the planned sale of fighter jets was revealed in August last year.
Meanwhile, Chinese military analysts claim that while the U.S. F-16V fighter jets could pos a major threat to the PLA, is J-10-B and J-10-C combat planes can compete with the American warplanes. The experts said the U.S. jets can be outmatched by the more robust Chinese J-11 and the more advanced J-20.
