TAIPEI, Nov 3 (Reuters) - The United States is working

overtime to speed up the production of delayed F-16V fighter

jets to Taiwan, while advanced U.S.-made glide bombs have also

been delayed due to supply-chain issues, the island's defence

ministry said on Monday.

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, 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.

To mitigate the delay, contractors are working two shifts

lasting 20 hours a day to speed up production, the ministry

said, adding Taiwan would continue to monitor progress to ensure

contractual obligations are met.

Lockheed Martin ( LMT ), which makes the jets, did not

immediately respond to a request for comment.

The ministry also reported delays in the delivery of another

weapons system, Raytheon's AGM-154C Joint Standoff glide

bombs, which cost T$135.97 billion ($4.44 billion).

They were initially meant to be delivered by the end of

2026, but are now expected to be delivered from 2027-2028 due to

supply-chain problems, it added.

Raytheon also did not immediately respond to a request for

comment.

"All military procurement cases are strictly controlled

through various meetings between Taiwan and the United States.

Payment schedules are adjusted based on production progress to

avoid premature payments before equipment delivery," Taiwan's

defence ministry said.

($1 = 30.5930 Taiwan dollars)