Taiwan delegation oversees SkyGuardian delivery, F-16 programme in US
Taiwan's acquisition of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian will enable it to enhance its persistent over-water surveillance capabilities. (GA-ASI)
A Taiwanese government delegation in the United States has overseen the delivery of the first General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPASs) to the Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF).
The delegation also reviewed the progress of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcon aircraft on order, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said.
The first two SkyGuardian RPASs were handed to the RoCAF at a ceremony on 17 March, attended by Taiwan's Deputy Minister of National Defense Hsu Szu-chien and RoCAF Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Tien Chung-yi, the MND said on 22 March. The ministry did not say where the ceremony was conducted.
Taiwan has four SkyGuardians under contract. According to the MND, GA-ASI will deliver the first two RPASs to Taiwan in 2026, with the final batch of two to follow in 2027.
During the delegation's visit to Lockheed Martin's Fighting Falcon facility in Greenville, South Carolina, on 16 March, they witnessed the completion of the first-production aircraft's flight acceptance test, the MND said.
Taiwan has 66 F-16V fighters on order, with the US government having approved the USD8 billion sale in 2019 under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. The first aircraft were to be delivered in 2023. However, the programme suffered delays.
Janes previously reported that a combination of supply chain issues and technical problems with the aircraft's flight control software was responsible for the delays. Lockheed Martin unveiled the first aircraft in April 2025, during a ceremony at Greenville.
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