Taiwan official in US for fighter jet unveiling

TAIPEI, Mar 29 (AFP): Taiwan's deputy defence minister attended a ceremony in the United States unveiling the first F-16V fighter jet built for the island, Taipei said Saturday.
Po Horng-huei's visit comes nearly six years after Washington approved a $8 billion deal for 66 warplanes during US President Donald Trump's first term.
Lockheed Martin, the US defence contractor building the jets, held the rollout ceremony at its production line South Carolina on Friday.
Alexander Yui, Taiwan's de facto ambassador to Washington, also attended the event, Taipei's defence ministry said.
Taiwan acquired the new fighters to "strengthen the air force's combat capability and improve joint combat effectiveness," it said in a statement.
The United States invited Taiwan to the ceremony "not only to showcase the results of fighter jet production but also to demonstrate the US government's commitment to continue to assist Taiwan in improving its self-defence capabilities," it said.