One of the largest items on Taiwan's backlog of weapons orders is an $8 billion order for an improved Block 70 version of the F-16 fighter jet, according to Nikkei Asia , citing research by the US-based Cato Institute.
Under the Trump administration in 2019, Washington approved the sale of 66 F-16s to Taiwan. Deliveries were scheduled to begin in 2023 but were pushed back to 2024.
Plans to deliver 66 US F-16s to Taiwan have been pushed back to 2024
Another order from 2019 that has yet to be fulfilled is 108 M1A2 Abrams tanks. These tanks were scheduled to be delivered over several years starting in 2022, but the schedule has also been moved up to 2024.
The delivery of Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles has also yet to be completed. The Trump administration approved a deal to sell Harpoon missiles to Taiwan worth about $2.4 billion in 2020.
The study also found that $2.8 billion worth of ammunition, including ammunition for F-16s, has yet to be delivered to Taiwan.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese media reported that the island's defense forces are looking to replace their main fighter jets with F-35 stealth fighters, not improved versions of the F-16.
Taiwan has also planned to increase its military spending budget for 2024 to a record high of NT$606.8 billion ($18.8 billion), according to Nikkei Asia .
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