Taiwan armed F-16V Fighting Falcon fighters with AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles amid Chinese threat

At the end of last year, Taiwan upgraded the 100th F-16 fourth-generation fighter to the F-16V level. On the background

Chinese threat aircraft were armed with air-to-air missiles.

What is known

Bombers and fightersThe People's Liberation Army of China makes regular flights near the island. In this regard, the Taiwan Air Force decided to equip its F-16Vs with AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, which were purchased from the United States in 2016.

According to the source, all 64 Fighting fightersFalcons belonging to the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing are equipped with Block II level AIM-9X missiles. The aircraft are based in the southwest of the island nation.

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In addition to the Sidewinder, Taiwan usesmissiles AIM-120 AMRAAM. They have also been seen flying F-16Vs of the 5th Tactical Fighter Wing. Aircraft are based in the east of the island.

Taiwan ordered a new batch in early 2023Sidewinder missiles - 100 units worth almost $ 80 million. Deliveries will be completed by 2030. In addition, the United States this year approved the sale of 300 AGM-88 HARM and AIM-120C-8 ARMAAM missiles worth $619 million.