Taipei Times
Date: Aug 28, 2018
By: Aaron Tu and Jonathan Chin  /  Staff reporter, with staff writer

The air force expects to take delivery of the first four Lockheed Martin F-16Vs, the latest variant of the fighter jet, by the end of this year and have them combat-ready by next year, a source said.

The Republic of China Air Force has budgeted NT$129.6 billion (US$4.21 billion) to have Lockheed-Martin Corp upgrade its 143 F-16A/Bs to F-16V standards.

After completing ground tests earlier this year, Lockheed in April began flight tests with the first four and the planes were spotted by aviation enthusiasts, sources said.

Military and Aerospace Industrial Development Corp sources said that they were not authorized to comment on the program, but unclassified air force data showed that the military expects the upgraded planes to be combat-ready next year should they pass the flight tests.    [FULL  STORY]