Taipei:Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo confirmed that the United States has demonstrated goodwill regarding the delayed delivery of F-16V Block 70 fighter jets ordered by Taipei. Discussions between the two parties are ongoing to address the matter.

According to Focus Taiwan, the contract between Taipei and Washington for the 66 F-16V jets does not include financial penalties for late delivery, and therefore, Taiwan will not receive financial compensation. However, there may be additional technical support, spare parts, and an extended warranty for the jets.

Koo's comments were made in response to a report by the China Times, which indicated that the U.S. government would assist Taipei in seeking compensation from the jets' manufacturer, Lockheed Martin. Under the "Peace Phoenix Soaring" project, Taiwan's Air Force allocated NT$247.2 billion from 2020 to 2026 to procure these jets.

The jets were originally set to be delivered by the end of this year, but delays have occurred due to factors like the relocation and restart of the production line and supply chain disruptions. In response, Lockheed Martin has implemented two production shifts, operating up to 20 hours a day to accelerate deliveries.

The first two of the 66 F-16Vs left the U.S. on August 17 and are currently in Hawaii, awaiting further transport to Taiwan. When asked about the delivery of these jets, Koo stated that the ministry will announce the information once the delivery date is confirmed.