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Taiwan arms boost: US approves US$500 million in F-16 sensor systems for island’s defence
- Latest sale of infrared search-and track equipment built by Lockheed Martin deepens interoperability with American fighter-jet programme
- Functionality is unique in not emitting its own radiation, enhancing the lethality and survivability of aircrews
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Amber Wangin Washington
The US government has approved a half-billion-dollar sale of advanced sensor systems for F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan to boost the self-governing island’s ability to defend against “threats”, according to a State Department statement on Wednesday.
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The deal includes F-16 infrared search-and-track systems and related equipment at an estimated cost of US$500 million, according to the statement. Congress was officially notified of the sale on Wednesday, it added.
Built by US aerospace company Lockheed Martin, the equipment would improve Taiwan’s defence of its airspace and deepen interoperability with the US through its F-16 programme, the statement said.
The US in 2019 approved a US$8 billion sale of 66 F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, a deal taking the island’s F-16 fleet to more than 200 jets by 2026, the largest in Asia.
In March, the Biden administration approved the sale of an estimated US$619 million in arms to Taiwan, including hundreds of missiles for F-16 fighter jets.
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