After years of delays, Taiwan’s long-awaited F-16V fighter program has finally shown signs of life. New images from the U.S. reveal a Taiwan-bound F-16V taxiing on the runway, marking a crucial testing milestone. The development comes as Beijing ramps up military pressure around the island and Taipei intensifies scrutiny of Washington and Lockheed Martin. With delivery deadlines slipping and lawmakers demanding answers, the spotlight is firmly on the stalled $7.8 billion deal. Why these jets matter, and what delays mean for Taiwan’s defence balance, is now under sharp focus.