Taiwan completes modernisation of 142 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to Block 70/72 configuration

Taiwan's Peace Phoenix Rising programme is coming to an end. It was aimed at modernising the fleet of fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters.

Here's What We Know

The Taiwan Air Force has conducted the last flight test of the single-seat F-16 Fighting Falcon, with tail number 6691. Its modernisation will be completed within a month. In addition, a pair of two-seat fighters with numbers 6807 and 6805 will return to service by mid-December 2023. The remaining four aircraft will be modernised by the end of January 2024.

Taiwan's military service has a fleet of 142 fourth-generation fighters in Block 20 configuration. The military service has decided to upgrade them to Block 70/72 (Viper). The Department of National Defence signed a $1.85 billion contract with Lockheed Martin to do so.

The upgrade brings an APG-83 active phased array radar, a new central display, an upgraded flight computer and an improved electronic warfare system. The powerplant is represented by a General Electric F110-GE-129 engine.

In early 2023, Lockheed Martin revealed the first F-16 fighter built from scratch in Block 70/72 configuration. Taiwan has ordered 66 of these aircraft. Deliveries will begin next year, though be scheduled for this year.

Source: Scramble