As China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) naval exercises continue, the Taiwanese Armed Forces are mobilizing the majority of their land, air, and naval assets as deterrent and response measures in the worst-case scenario. In addition to deploying coastal defense missile systems and Patriot air defense systems, the Taiwanese Air Force is preparing its F-16 Viper fighters. These combat aircraft, which according to various sources have completed their modernization to the Block 70 standard, are among the most modern and capable military assets available to the island for its defense.
While there has been intense activity from Chinese People’s Liberation Army combat ships, as well as coast guard vessels and aircraft, including fighters and bombers, in recent days, the Taiwanese Air Force is accordingly making preparations. To date, thanks to images released by the Ministry of Defense and associated news agencies, it is evident that the F-16s, along with other aircraft like the Mirage 2000, are conducting patrol sorties to monitor the island’s airspace for possible violations and to deter potential threats.
In some of the officially released photographs, although specific dates are not provided, Taiwanese F-16V fighters can be seen conducting air patrols with an air-to-air armament configuration. This typically includes AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range missiles and AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range missiles.
As reported in previous months, the Taiwanese Air Force completed the modernization program for 139 F-16A/B Block 20 aircraft, which were upgraded to the Viper or Block 70 standard. It should also be noted that this program is complemented by the purchase of 66 new F-16s, which are being built by Lockheed Martin in the United States.
Some of the new equipment installed and integrated into the Taiwanese Vipers includes the new Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 AESA radar, new Sniper target designation pods, new Link 16 datalink systems, new mission computers, and GPS navigation systems.
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