TAIPEI, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin ( LMT ) said

on Tuesday it was working to accelerate delayed deliveries to

Taiwan of new F-16Vs, after the island's defence ministry said

the programme had been pushed back due to supply chain issues.

Taiwan, which faces a rising military threat from Beijing,

has complained of repeated delays to weapons ordered from the

United States, the Chinese-claimed island's most important

international backer and arms supplier.

In a report to lawmakers on Monday, Taiwan's defence

ministry said the delivery of all 66 F-16V fighters, initially

expected to arrive by the end of 2026, had been pushed back due

to production line relocations and disruptions.

Lockheed said in an emailed statement that it was committed

to delivering "mission-critical capabilities" to Taiwan with the

F-16 fleet to support its air defences.

That includes the 66 new F-16Vs, along with Taiwan's F-16

Viper upgrade programme, which was completed in December 2023,

it added.

"We continue to work closely with the U.S. government to

accelerate delivery timelines where possible, while ensuring a

safe and compliant product."

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)