Taiwan’s defense ministry said deliveries of its long-delayed F-16V fighter jets will begin this year, following a visit by senior officials to production facilities in the United States.

The jets are part of an $8 billion deal approved in 2019, aimed at strengthening Taiwan’s air defenses amid growing military pressure from China. The program has faced multiple delays, including software-related issues, but officials now say production is running at full capacity.

During the visit, Taiwanese officials toured Lockheed Martin’s assembly line in South Carolina, where the first aircraft is nearing completion. The company has reportedly assigned hundreds of workers to the project, operating on a two-shift schedule with no major supply or staffing constraints.

Taiwan has already upgraded more than 140 older F-16s to the newer F-16V configuration and has ordered 66 new aircraft. The upgraded jets feature advanced radar, avionics, and weapons systems designed to counter increasingly sophisticated threats, including China’s J-20 stealth fighter.

Officials said continued testing is still required before full delivery, given the aircraft’s customized design. The move comes as Taiwan works to modernize its military capabilities with continued support from the United States.