TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's military demonstrated F-16 fighter jet combat readiness and Skyguard air defense capabilities at Chiayi Air Base on Wednesday (Jan. 28), showcasing rapid weapons loading procedures. The Ministry of National Defense (國防部) organized the media event featuring the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing and the 301st Battalion of the 795th Brigade. The drill comes amid frequent incursions by People's Liberation Army, or PLA, aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.
The Air Force Command Headquarters (空軍司令部) emphasized the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing's crucial role in safeguarding Taiwan Strait airspace. Officials stated that all personnel remain committed to training duties to ensure the Air Force maintains combat capabilities against potential threats. During the drill, an F-16AM fighter jet completed weapons loading operations and immediately took off alongside another aircraft for a simulated combat mission.
Ground crew members swiftly completed loading weapons and auxiliary fuel tanks on the F-16AM jets within the allotted time. Each jet carried two AIM-120C advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, two AIM-9M short-range missiles, and two 370-gallon (around 1,400-liter) auxiliary fuel tanks. The aircraft also carried 20mm cannon rounds and countermeasure devices, with AIM-120C missiles arriving via MJ-1/C bomb loaders and four servicemembers manually loading AIM-9M missiles.
Taiwan's Air Force initially equipped F-16A/B fighters with AIM-7M Sparrow missiles but has since upgraded to the more advanced AIM-120C missiles for enhanced combat capability. The standard air defense configuration for upgraded F-16AM/BM fighters now includes two AIM-120C and two AIM-9M missiles. Each aircraft can carry a maximum capacity of at least six AIM-120C missiles when fully armed for air defense missions.