Aircraft
Taiwan’s Viper Upgrade Fuels F-16 Resurgence
Taiwan led the effort to upgrade its F-16s in place of new aircraft procurement, and the idea has caught on, including in Singapore and South Korea.
Upgraded F-16Vs of Taiwan’s 21st Tactical Fighter Wing line up on parade at Chiayi to celebrate the operational clearance for the advanced Viper variant. (Photo: ROCAF)
Upgraded F-16Vs of Taiwan’s 21st Tactical Fighter Wing line up on parade at Chiayi to celebrate the operational clearance for the advanced Viper variant. (Photo: ROCAF)

The Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) declared an initial combat capability for its newly upgraded F-16V Viper aircraft on November 18, 2021, after beginning training with them in March. Taiwan scrambles the aircraft almost every day to intercept Chinese aircraft flying into its air defense zone.