A US Air Force F-16 Viper takes off from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, on July 27, 2020.
CNN: US finalizes sale of 66 F-16 fighters to Taiwan as China tensions escalate
Hong Kong (CNN)Taiwan will receive 66 new American-made F-16 fighter jets in the biggest arms sale to the self-governing island in years.
The deal finalized on Friday comes as China has been increasing pressure on the island, which Beijing considers to be an inseparable part of its territory.
Friday's announcement was made on the website of United States Defense Department, under the contacts updated section. The posting said the US Air Force was awarding a contract to Lockheed Martin, the maker of the F-16, for 90 of the planes as part of US foreign military sales.
No customer for the purchase was named, but a US State Department source confirmed that an order from Taiwan approved by the Trump administration a year ago was part of the deal.
The other 24 aircraft are expected to go to Morocco. Final deliveries are expected by 2026.
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WNU Editor: Beijing's response has been predictable .... Beijing condemns U.S. formalizing F-16 jet sales to Taiwan (CGTN). More here .... F-16 fighter jet deal deemed another US provocation amid rising Taiwan Straits tensions (Global Times).
More News On Taiwan Closing A Massive Deal To Buy F-16s From Lockheed Martin
Done deal: Taiwan closes $62bn F-16 Falcon buy -- Asia Times
Taiwan finalizes $62bn purchase of F-16 jets from Lockheed Martin -- AFP
US Formalizes Sale of 66 F-16 Jets to Taiwan Amid Heightened China Tensions -- Sputnik
Lockheed Martin Receives $62Billion Order to Manufacture F-16 Jets for Foreign Customers -- Defense World
