Taiwan signs contract for F-16 IRST pods

The acquisition of infrared search and track (IRST) pods for Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighters is expected to improve the ability of the F-16s to confront Chinese fifth-generation combat aircraft. (Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)

The Taiwanese government has signed a contract with the United States to procure infrared search and track (IRST) pods for its Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70/72 Viper fleet.

On 12 July the contract announcement appeared on the Taiwanese government's e-procurement website. According to the contract note, the IRST system and 16 other items will be procured at a cost of TWD11.2 billion (USD341.4 million). The contract is active from 25 June 2024 to 31 December 2030.

The announcement comes 10 months after the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced a possible sale of the pods under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme in August 2023. At the time, DSCA estimated the cost of the procurement at USD500 million.

Taiwan did not specify which IRST system it is procuring. The bid award notice lacks additional information associated with tender notices. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) has previously said that it intends to procure the “latest models” of IRST systems developed for the Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 fighter aircraft.

According to the bid award notice, Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) Command is the contract execution authority, with the contract execution location being Taitung County. This suggests that the contract will be executed at the RoCAF's Taitung Air Base. This is the future base for 66 new F-16 Block 70/72 fighter aircraft ordered by Taiwan from the United States.

The IRST pods are likely to be used with the new F-16s after they are delivered from 2026, Janes assesses.