Defense News

Regarding coverages of “Ministry of National Defense Unwilling to Provide Staff Members for the New Wing of the New Model of F-16V Fighter Aircrafts”, “Using Only Special Budget to Buy Primary Equipment in Order to Lower the Amount of Special Budget”, and “Progress of Performance Improvement of Active F-16 Fighter Aircrafts is Behind Schedule” conducted by the media today (20^th), the command headquarters has provided the following explanations:

1. Regarding the Air Force requiring additional staff members for the new F-16V fighter aircraft wing, the command headquarters has established a special project to review on the number of stuff members under the instructions of the Ministry of National Defense, and in accordance with the planned schedule and personnel compilation benchmark as well as military formation schedule, in order to satisfy the requirements of new troops. The new wing will also be incorporated into the implementation of the “5-year Compilation Requirement Program”, and the compilation of combat force can be completed on time. Rumors regarding “Ministry of National Defense Unwilling to Provide Staff Members” are false and unproven interpretation by the media.

2. The new F-16V fighter aircrafts in this case use the same weapons, ammunition, and equipment as the active F-16 fighter aircrafts; taking into account factors such as using the same ammunition and lifespan extension, as well as avoid ammunition being expired simultaneously, procurement will be implemented subsequently according to enemy threats with annual discussion to respond to the actual needs.

3. Regarding the performance improvement of active F-16 fighter aircrafts, relevant obstacles and issues have been effectively handled and gradually resolved, and the performance improvement task is expected to complete in 2023.