It’s the largest deal of its kind in Asia as the island nation attempts to strengthen its defences in the face of Chinese agression
Taiwan says the delivery of 66 advanced new fighter jets from the United States has been delayed.
The nation’s defence minister says the delay is due to supply chain disruptions and the ministry is working to minimise the damage.
In 2019, the U.S. approved an $8 billion sale of fighter jets to Taiwan, a deal that will take the island’s fleet to more than 200.
This is the largest deal of its kind in Asia as the island nation strengthens its defences in the face of increasing Chinese aggression.
The first of the new jets was meant to be delivered in the fourth quarter of this year but that has been delayed to the third quarter of next year due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions.
Taiwan has since asked the United States to “make up the deficiency”, by prioritising spare part deliveries for its existing fleet.
