TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwanese military pointed out Sunday (April 4) that the runway construction project at Hsinchu Air Base will be completed by May.

The nation’s fleet of Mirage 2000s was originally stationed at Hsinchu Air Base but was moved to Taichung’s Ching Chuan Kang Air Base last April. Once the runway is confirmed to be safe, the French-made fighter jets will be moved back to Hsinchu and will partake in the Han Kuang exercise in July.

Construction of the new runway began on April 8, 2020, after long-term use and weathering damaged the old asphalt. The military stated that continued use of the tarmac could have affected the aircraft as they landed, CNA reported.

As of March 4, the project was said to be ahead of schedule at 83.9 percent complete.

The Air Force currently has seven Tactical Fighter Wings, which are largely comprised of F-16s, FCK-1s, Mirage 2000s, and F-5Es, in addition to reconnaissance and transport aircraft.