THE US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on August 20 of a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of 66 F-16C/D Block 70s to Taiwan. The US$8bn package includes 75 F110 engines, APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, ALE- 50 towed decoys, APX-126 advanced identification friend or foe (IFF) and AN/ALQ- 211A(V)4 Airborne Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS), plus other miscellaneous equipment and technical support.
A day later, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) expressed its thanks for the government approval, although this is still subject to a congressional decision. The announcement has already prompted China to threaten retaliatory measures against US companies that participate in the contract.
Plans for induction of the new fighters are still up in the air, although local media reports indicate that the MND requires the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) to maintain its current manpower levels and source the approximately 1,000 air and groundcrew from within the force. This will likely be achieved when the 7th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) – at Zhihang Air Force Base, Taitung, in Taiwan’s southeast – relinquishes its F-5E/Fs, …
