Taipei, Nov 19 (UNI) Taiwan exhibited its newest stealth, upgrading it with F-16 fighter jets, which will lead the island state's defence in case of an air attack from China.
Demonstrating its muscle power, Taiwan’s first squadron of US-made F-16V or fighter jets, pilots on Thursday carried out aerial exercises and F-16s flew over the Chiayi Air Base on the island’s southwestern coast, CNN reported.
More than two dozen of the F-16Vs were present at the Chiayi base on the island for demonstration.
The new arrivals are upgrade of its older F-16A/b fighter jets which were procured by Taiwan in the 1990s.
The new jets are facilitated with advanced radar systems and new mission computers, the CNN report said, adding that the island has plans to advance 141 jets to the newer version by 2023.
Vice Defence Minister Wang Hsin-lung in Taiwan’s Parliament on Wednesday said, “that upgrade has already been done to more than 60 F-16s”.
According to the report, Taiwan has also procured 66 new F-16Vs from Lockheed Martin, a manufacturer in US, which delivery is expected to start in 2023.
Creation of a new F-16V combat wing has showed the deepening friendship between the island and the US, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said during the commissioning ceremony.
“The Lockheed Martin team has provided us with a lot of assistance in completing the upgrade," she said adding that "This not only signals the further progress of Taiwan-US friendship, but also represents a firm commitment to Taiwan-US relations."
She further said that the Lockheed Martin team has assisted a lot to complete the upgradation.
"This not only signals the further progress of Taiwan-US friendship but also show a firm commitment to Taiwan-US relations” she added.
With sending 150 warplanes near the island in just five days in October, China’s ruling Communist Party has been raising its military pressure on Taiwan prompting the Taiwan to issue radio warning and deploy air defence missile system to monitor the activity.
During a virtual summit between US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday, Taiwan issue was also on the agenda.
“Biden showed his concerns over the behavior of China in the region. While he validated the US “One China” policy, which recognises Bejing’s claim of sovereignty but allows for US defence ties with Taiwan, he voiced worry that China’s actions were destablising the region,” CNN's report said.
President Xi blamed rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait on what he called Taipei's attempt to rely on the US to seek independence and the intention of some Americans to use Taiwan to contain China, Citing meeting’s readout from China's Foreign Ministry.
During her speech on Thursday, Taiwanese President expressed her gratitude towards air force for serving day and night to protect the island.
She also said, "regardless of any intrusion, (our air force) can immediately take to the skies to intercept and expel the intruders. This has demonstrated our determination to defend our airspace" adding that "I believe that, as long as we continue to defend our free and democratic values, more countries with similar ideals will stand with us."
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