Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defence company by defence revenue, is facing pressure over delays affecting deliveries of its advanced F-16 fighter jets to international customers, with Taiwan waiting for its first aircraft and Morocco preparing to receive its own fleet.
Taiwan’s long-delayed F-16 programme has suffered another setback after its first two newly built Block 70 fighters failed to complete their journey across the Pacific.
The delay comes as the United States continues to strengthen Taiwan’s military despite repeated warnings from China over arms sales to the island.
Taiwan News reported that the two aircraft, serial numbers 6727 and 6728, left the continental United States on August 17 but had yet to arrive in Taiwan after reaching Hawaii.
The jets were expected to arrive on August 28, but did not appear, and by August 30, aviation enthusiasts were still waiting outside Chihhang Air Base in Taitung for the aircraft.
