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Taiwan has received its first two newly built F-16V Block 70 fighter jets from the United States, beginning deliveries under an approximately $8 billion order for 66 aircraft signed in 2019. The arrival comes after significant delays, with the remaining fighters expected in later batches.But Taiwan’s defence strategy goes beyond fighter jets. Taipei is investing heavily in unmanned and asymmetric capabilities designed to make any Chinese military operation across the Taiwan Strait more difficult and costly. Meanwhile, Taiwan still faces a roughly $30 billion backlog of US defence equipment, while another approximately $14 billion arms package awaits approval. The timing is significant. US officials cited by Reuters increasingly assess that a Chinese invasion before 2028 is unlikely, despite Xi Jinping having instructed the PLA to be ready by 2027 for a potential operation if ordered. That assessment is not a guarantee about Beijing’s intentions or future actions. Shreya Chandra has more