Taiwan deploys first advanced F-16V Fighter Squadron against China

Taiwan held a ceremony to commission the first squadron of its most advanced F-16 fighter, a US-made jet that will strengthen the island’s defenses against threats by China.

President Tsai Ing-wen oversaw the ceremony at an air base in the southern city of Chiayi alongside Sandra Oudkirk, Washington’s de facto ambassador to Taiwan.

“This represents the steadfast promise of the Taiwan-US partnership,” Tsai said.

“I trust that in holding fast to democratic values, there will definitely be more countries with similar values who will stand with us on this front.”

The F-16V is an upgraded and much more sophisticated version of Taiwan’s other aging F-16 fighters which date back to the 1990s. The island also has French-made Mirage jets and its own indigenous warplane.