Taiwan’s upgrade of 141 F-16A/B fighters to F-16V status is proceeding, with 42 fighters completed so far under the Peace Phoenix Rising programme. Taiwan is the first air force to operate the F-16V type.
Lt Gen Huang Chih-wei, the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) Chief of Staff, told lawmakers on 17 March that these 42 fighters are allocated to the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing stationed at Chiayi in southwest Taiwan.
The F-16Vs (referred to as the F-16A/B Block 20 MLU by the ROCAF) are close to being placed on active alert duty, and an official handover ceremony will occur
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
The Pentagon has sent an amendment to the Office of Management and Budget, according to Pete Hegseth, including funds for the procurement of E-7 Wedgetails in FY2027.
As Europe confronts its most unstable security environment since the Cold War, defence planners recognise that advanced, dependable and flexible Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) are central to a force that competes and prevails on today’s battlefield.
The country could be on the cusp of finalising an historic deal with Saab for up to 150 aircraft, with Belgium also increasing its number of donated F-16 aircraft to 53 with refreshed delivery timelines.
The USAF intends to conduct the second phase of the DRAGON programme from FY2026 to FY2030, while the future of the E3 replacement remains unknown.
Indonesia’s purchase of 12 drones with options for an additional 48 is the third deal in as many years between Indonesian and Turkish defence industries, bolstering the former’s plans to strengthen its own domestic production and defence industry.
The Brazilian Army is forecast to spend $279.15 million on UAVs from 2026, exceeding the Brazilian Navy’s $227.51 million forecast spend, although the naval force was an earlier adopter of the capability.
Connect with us on socials
