Taiwan deploys first advanced F-16V fighter squadron

Taiwan held a ceremony on Thursday to commission the first squadron of its most advanced F-16 fighter, a US-made jet that will strengthen the island's defences against threats by China.

President Tsai Ing-wen oversaw the ceremony at an air base in the southern city of Chiayi alongside Sandra Oudkirk, Washington's de facto ambassador to Taiwan.

"This represents the steadfast promise of the Taiwan-US partnership," Tsai said. 

"I trust that in holding fast to democratic values, there will definitely be more countries with similar values who will stand with us on this front."

The F-16V is an upgraded and much more sophisticated version of Taiwan's other ageing F-16 fighters which date back to the 1990s. The island also has French-made Mirage jets and its own indigenous warplane.

A fourth-generation multi-role fighter, the F-16V boasts more advanced radar systems as well as more sophisticated weaponry, navigation and electronic warfare systems.

It is however less advanced than fifth-generation fighters like China's J-20, Russia's Su-57 as well as the US-made F-22 and F-35 warplanes.

Taiwan is in the middle of upgrading 141 older F-16s to make them the V version and has also ordered 66 new F-16Vs.

The deployment of the first squadron comes at a time of soaring tensions between Beijing and Washington over Taiwan's fate.

The self-ruled democracy of 23 million is claimed by Beijing which has vowed to one day take the island, by force if needs.