Taiwan’s fighter pilots will benefit from the continued purchase of F-16 training simulators programme from the US division of CAE, a Canadian modelling developer.
This contract modification, worth more than $35m (T$1.15bn, brings the cumulative value of the Foreign Military Sale, through the US Department of Defense, to $58.29m. Work will take place in Arlington, Texas, and is expected to reach completion by 30 April 2026.
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The US government is committed to supporting the island to ensure the military balance in the region. Lately, the US offered various F-16 spares and repair parts, and, more than a year ago, they provided infrared search and track systems.
According to GlobalData intelligence, the island’s Air Force operate 140 F-16s that were acquired more than 25 years ago. However, Taiwan (Republic of China) is one of a number of states to have their fleets modernised to the Viper – or Block 70/72 – iteration earlier this year.
Lockheed Martin received a $1.85bn contract from the US government to upgrade their Block 20 F-16A/B aircraft in October 2012.
In March 2021, L3Harris introduced the AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield, an advanced all-digital EW suite specifically tailored for integration into the baseline configuration of F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft. Developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin, the EW suite will enhance the survivability and of the aircraft.
Following the acquisition of L3Harris Military four months later, which included Link Simulation & Training, CAE became the leading provider of F-16 pilot and maintenance training.
In late 2018, however, L3Harris Link Simulation & Training, now part of CAE USA, was selected as the prime contractor for the US Air Force F-16 Simulators Training Program (STP).
The F-16 STP contract consolidates the previous F-16 Mission Training Center, F-16 Weapons and Tactics Trainer Advanced Sustainment, and F-16 Training System programs into a single, unified program.
