Taiwan-US arms pipeline slows: What we know so far about F-16 fighters, the $14 billion deal and the T-Dome | Today’s news
Taiwan’s military modernization program is facing delays on two fronts: the first of its 66 new US-made Block 70 F-16 fighter jets remains in Hawaii, while a proposed $14 billion US weapons package that could bolster the planned T-Dome air defense network in Taipei remains on hold.
Taipei says it remains in talks with Washington and has received assurances that US policy on Taiwan has not changed.
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Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump was reported to have offered to sell arms to China last week while hosting its leader Xi Jinping.
The US ambassador to China told Fox News on Sunday: “President Trump keeps saying, hey, we’re selling weapons to other people around the world. He actually asked President Xi if he wanted to buy some at one point.”
On Monday, Chinese state media praised the “extraordinary level of courtesy” Trump showed Xi Jinping during the Chinese leader’s visit to Washington.
Why Taiwan’s F-16 Block 70 Program Was Delayed
Taiwan ordered 66 F-16Vs from Lockheed Martin in 2019. The program was originally expected to move much faster, but the schedule was disrupted by the move of Lockheed Martin’s F-16 production line from Fort Worth, Texas, to Greenville, South Carolina.
The program also faced supply chain and production issues in the era of the Covid pandemic. Taiwan’s defense ministry previously said supplier delays and changes to the US assembly schedule contributed to the slippage.
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Lockheed Martin later increased production to two shifts, with workers working up to 20 hours a day in an effort to speed up deliveries. In November 2025, Taiwan said production delays pushed back the delivery schedule for all 66 aircraft.
Why are the first two F-16s still in Hawaii?
The first two fighters, numbered 6727 and 6728, eventually left the US and only reached Hawaii. They were expected to continue across the Pacific towards Taiwan, but that route had not yet been completed.
Taiwanese news reports said the planes were seen preparing to leave Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam before apparently returning to the staging area rather than continuing toward Guam.
The exact reason for the latest delay has not been publicly determined.
Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo did not give a delivery date to Reuters on Tuesday. He said production had reached a stage where delivery was possible and referred to “compensatory measures” related to the delay. Lockheed Martin did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
What Taiwan’s $14 billion arms package could deliver
A separate $14 billion package has been delayed since President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May.
The proposed deal is expected to include hundreds of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement, or PAC-3 MSE, interceptors, nine NASAMS air defense systems and the Integrated Battle Command System, known as IBCS.
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Together, these systems would help Taiwan connect its various layers of air defense. Patriot missiles are designed to counter high-threat targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles, while NASAMS can defend against aircraft, drones and cruise missiles.
The package is also expected to include sensors that could improve the network’s ability to detect and track incoming threats.
How the T-Dome fits into Taiwan’s defense plans
Taiwan’s planned T-Dome system is intended to bring various air defense capabilities into a more integrated network.
Taipei already operates or is developing several systems, including the PAC-3 missile, NASAMS, the Tien Kung III missile domestically, and a mobile air defense system based on the Sky Sword II.
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Taiwan has also sought to expand its missile stockpile and develop other domestic systems. Her cabinet proposed $4.6 billion in additional defense spending in September, including funds for anti-ballistic missiles and large numbers of drones.
Why timing matters
The F-16 delay and the stalled $14 billion package are separate issues, but both highlight the time needed to expand Taiwan’s military capabilities.
Taiwanese officials have warned that manufacturers are facing heavy demand and limited production capacity. Delays may mean missing scheduled production slots and waiting for later batches.
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For now, Taipei says existing US arms deals remain in place.
“As for arms sales, we are constantly discussing that with the Americans,” Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo told reporters in Taipei. “We have received no notice of any changes to the sale or our partnership.”
Koo also said that Taiwan had received assurances from the US that its policy had not changed.
