By Ann Wang

CHIAYI/Taiwan (Reuters) – Taiwan’s President TsaiIngwen praised Washington for military cooperation as she ordered the F-16 combat wing upgraded by the U.S. to help strengthen Taiwan’s defenses in the face of rising tensions between Taipei & Beijing.

Regular U.S.-China military exercises have caused concern about conflict in the region. These fears were exacerbated by tensions over Taiwanese democracy, which Beijing regards as its sovereign territory.

Tsai spoke at a ceremony in Chiayi, a southern Taiwanese town, to announce the F-16V’s first Squadron. This project demonstrated the strong commitment of Taiwan and the U.S. Partnership.

She said that she believes in democracy and freedom as long as there are like-minded countries who stand on the same side with us.

Although the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it is Beijing’s principal international supporter and arms supplier.

Manufacturer leads the F-16 ugrade of T$110 billion (or $3.96 billion). Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:), Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corp, (AIDC), is the most recent example of military cooperation between Washington DC and Taipei.

Taiwan is currently converting 141 F-16A/B aircraft into F-16V types. 64 have been upgraded and Taiwan ordered additional 66 F-16Vs. These new F-16Vs have new radar, weapons, avionics and radar systems, to help them better combat the Chinese air force.

Raytheon Technologies’ (NYSE:) Corp advanced AIM-9X Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missiles are possible on the F-16Vs.

F-16s performed combat landings over the base and flew low above the runway in formation to dance music.

Tsai stated that Taiwan’s defenses will be stronger if more F-16Vs enter service.

Although Taiwan’s Air Force is very well-trained, it’s dwarfed in comparison to China’s.

The United States of America approved in 2019 a sale worth $8 billion to Taiwan for F-16 fighter planes. It would bring Taiwan’s F-16 aircraft fleet up to 200.

China has placed sanctions against Lockheed Martin, a Lockheed Martin supplier of arms to Taiwan.

($1 = 27.7470 Taiwan dollars)