LMT - US Accelerates F-16 Delivery To Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions With China | Benzinga
The U.S. Air Force is vigorously exploring avenues to boost the delivery of F-16s to Taiwan, according to a senior official’s acknowledgment of Congressional concerns.
What Happened: Assistant Air Force Secretary Andrew Hunter, on Thursday, responded to anxieties presented by Republican members of Congress, Bloomberg reported. The lawmakers fear that the pledge to deliver F-16 jets to Taiwan could be jeopardized by escalating “regional security concerns around the world,” including U.S. commitments to Ukraine and Israel.
The House members pointed out that the upgrade of Taiwan’s current F-16s has faced nearly three years of delay due to a lack of critical components. Moreover, the delivery of 66 new aircraft built by Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) has been delayed “by over 15 months due to software development complexities.” The legislators stressed the need to fulfill promises made to the U.S.’s closest allies.
Hunter reassured Congress that 136 upgraded F-16s have already been handed over, ...