Taiwan is set to enhance its air defense capabilities by constructing 26 additional hardened shelters for its F-16V fighter jets, as the country anticipates receiving 66 new F-16V Block 70 aircraft from the United States. This expansion will bring the total number of F-16Vs stationed along Taiwan’s east coast to between 110 and 120. The Chihhang Air Base in Taitung County will host these new aircraft, complementing the existing F-16V Block 20s located in Hualien County.
To accommodate this growing fleet, Taiwan’s air force plans to invest over NT$6.88 billion between 2027 and 2031 to build the shelters in Hualien and Taitung. The plan includes constructing 22 shelters in Hualien and four in Taitung, alongside five general aircraft hangars and additional facilities at Hualien to serve transport aircraft needs. The project is scheduled to commence with management, surveying, and design in 2027, followed by detailed design and contracting phases in 2028 and 2029, with construction starting in 2030 and finishing by 2031.
These new shelters are part of an initiative to adopt a “one aircraft, one shelter” strategy, aiming to bolster the survivability of Taiwan’s fighter jets during potential military conflicts. In case of an emergency, the aircraft could be moved to these fortified facilities in Hualien and Taitung to maintain combat readiness and support interception, suppression, and homeland defense operations. The structures are designed to offer enhanced protection against explosive attacks, ensuring that more fighter jets remain operational in the face of sudden threats.
In light of these developments, President William Lai has called on the military to keep pace with the rapid advancements in technology and shifts in the global security landscape. He highlighted the need to strengthen joint operations, develop asymmetric capabilities, and plan for future defense strategies, emphasizing the use of artificial intelligence as a critical support tool. President Lai also underscored the importance of sustaining military readiness and investing in national defense to safeguard Taiwan’s peace and sovereignty.