US Urgency "High" in Accelerating Weapons Deliveries to Taiwan

Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo confirms a high sense of urgency from the US to accelerate delayed arms deliveries, including F-16V fighter jets.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 4:51 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

Fast-Tracking Delayed Programs

Taiwan has long expressed concern over backlogs in U.S. weapons orders, which are vital for its defense strategy. To address this, the U.S. has established a special project team specifically designed to speed up relevant programs and help Taiwan catch up to its defense schedule.

Key updates on major systems include:

F-16V Fighter Jets: Deliveries of 66 advanced Lockheed Martin F-16Vs—ordered in 2019—are set to begin this year. Production is currently at "full capacity." These jets feature advanced radar and avionics designed to counter China's J-20 stealth fighters.

Prioritization: Michael Miller, director of the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, confirmed that a 2023 directive officially prioritizes Taiwan above other international buyers for security assistance.

The Strategic Relationship