Taiwan has received more than US$70 million in royalties as of the end of last year from developing the F-16V jet as countries worldwide purchase or upgrade to this popular model, government and military officials said on Saturday.
Taiwan funded the development of the F-16V jet and ended up the sole investor as other countries withdrew from the program.
Now the F-16V is increasingly popular and countries must pay Taiwan a percentage in royalties when they purchase new F-16V aircraft or upgrade older F-16 models.
Photo: CNA
The next five years are expected to be the peak for these royalties, with Taiwan potentially earning hundreds of millions of US dollars, officials said.
While the international community was largely focused on developing fifth-generation fighter jets, Taiwan’s decision to continue developing the 4.5-generation F-16V jet despite international doubts has paid off, they said.
About 5,000 F-16 aircraft of all models have been produced since they entered service in the late 1970s, and about 3,000 are still in service across about 30 countries.
The aircraft, produced by US defense company Lockheed Martin, is the most popular fourth- generation and 4.5-generation aircraft worldwide.
The F-16V upgrades the F-16’s performance with its AN/APG-83 AESA radar, advanced avionics and automatic ground collision avoidance systems.
Taiwan led development of the radar and advanced avionics system.
The US and Egypt participated at first but later withdrew, leaving Taiwan as the sole investor.
The contract stipulates that when other countries purchase F-16V aircraft or upgrade older F-16 aircraft to the V version, they must pay Taiwan royalties.
Since fifth-generation fighter jets produced in the US are expensive, many countries are purchasing or upgrading to F-16V aircraft, which have the same radar as fifth-generation jets such as the F-35.
Taiwan received its first royalty payment for F-16V aircraft in 2019.
Former US Department of Defense official Tony Hu (胡振東) previously said that Taiwan earned about NT$60 million in F-16V royalties during his tenure.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS