The United States government has authorized the sale of a logistics package intended for the sustainment and maintenance of the F-16 and AIDC F-CK-1 fighters, as well as the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft operated by the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF). This was recently reported by the State Department in one of its latest notifications to the U.S. Congress for approval of the operation, valued at US$330 million.
As of today, the backbone of Taiwan’s combat aviation relies on three platforms: the French-made Mirage 2000, the F-16A/B fighters upgraded to the Block 70 standard, and the locally developed AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo. Likewise, much of the tactical airlift capability is centered around the fleet of C-130H Hercules aircraft.
As seen with the F-16s and C-130Hs, as well as the F-CK-1s, these platforms require U.S. support for their operation and sustainment—something reaffirmed through various authorizations for the sale of logistics packages in favor of the Taiwanese Air Force.
The most recent authorization, announced on November 13 by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), outlines Taipei’s request to the U.S. government for the purchase of a logistics package valued at US$330 million and consisting of: “…non-standard components, spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, as well as repair and return services for F-16, C-130, and the Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) aircraft; technical, logistical, and engineering support services….”
The State Department has stated: “The proposed sale will improve the recipient’s ability to meet current and future threats by maintaining the operational readiness of its F-16, C-130, and IDF fleet. The recipient will have no difficulty absorbing these items and services into its armed forces.”
Finally, regarding Taiwan’s future equipment plans, it is worth noting that the arrival of the first newly built F-16 Block 70 fighters is still pending. In total, Taipei expects to receive the first Lockheed Martin–produced combat aircraft soon, although the program has faced continuous delays despite the recent rollout of the first unit.
As for the C-130H fleet, it should be mentioned that the Air Force is evaluating several alternatives for its transport aircraft, as it is considering not moving forward with the modernization program for these decades-old aircraft in favor of purchasing new C-130J Super Hercules units, which are also currently being produced by Lockheed Martin.
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