20 November 2023, 15:56
The United States expressed concern that it would not be able to transfer F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan on time. As indicated in Washington, this will happen “with a high probability.” At the same time, it previously became known that the implementation of two US programs for the supply of F-16 fighters to Taiwan amounts to about $12.7 billion.
At the same time, the United States noted that delays in deliveries to Taiwan are affected by logistics problems, as well as the complexity of integrating the software of the aircraft themselves. As Bloomberg writes, citing a letter from a group of American Republican legislators, which was sent to the Secretary of the US Air Force Frank Kendallthe weapons that Washington intends to supply to Taiwan will also include Stinger man-portable air defense systems, Patriot systems, UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, as well as long-range torpedoes and HIMARS MLRS.
In addition, 20 American lawmakers called on the head of the Air Force to provide a report on the modernization program for 141 operational Taiwanese F-16 fighters by December 18. In addition, they are calling for information on the delivery of 66 new aircraft.
