Taiwan claims the US is working extra hours to expedite delayed F-16 delivery

Taiwan’s defense ministry said Monday that the United States is putting in extra effort to expedite the delivery of advanced U.S.-made glide bombs, which have also been delayed owing to supply-chain problems, and F-16V fighter fighters, which have been delayed.

Taiwan has been complaining about repeated delays in receiving weaponry requested from the United States, the Chinese-claimed island’s most significant international ally and arms supplier, as Beijing’s military threat increases.

The delivery of all 66 F-16V aircraft, which were originally scheduled to arrive by the end of 2026, has been delayed because of production line relocations and delays, Taiwan’s defense ministry told lawmakers in a report.

Contractors are accelerating production by working two shifts of 20 hours each to reduce the delay, the ministry said, adding Taiwan would keep an eye on developments to make sure contractual responsibilities are fulfilled.

A request for comment from Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), which opens a new tab and manufactures the jets, was not immediately answered.

Another weapons system, Raytheon’s (RTX.N) new generation AGM-154C Joint Standoff glide bombs, which cost T$135.97 billion ($4.44 billion), also had delivery delays, according to the ministry.

Due to supply-chain issues, they are now anticipated to be delivered between 2027 and 2028 instead of the original goal of the end of 2026, it added.

A request for comment was also not quickly answered by Raytheon.

Every situation involving military acquisition is closely monitored by Taiwan and the US through a series of meetings. Taiwan’s defense ministry stated that in order to prevent early payments prior to equipment delivery, payment plans are modified in accordance with production progress.