TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The second batch of 42 Abrams tanks is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan on Saturday.

The tanks will be transported to the Hukou Armored Training Command in Hsinchu, CNA reported. However, whether the shipment will be delayed due to typhoons is still being closely monitored.

Taiwan purchased 108 Abrams tanks from the US in 2019, with the first batch of 38 arriving in December. Four of those tanks conducted firing drills at the Kengzikou training ground in Hsinchu during the live-fire segment of Han Kuang 41 earlier this month.

The final batch is expected to be delivered by mid-next year. The advanced tanks are assigned to the Sixth Army Corps, which is responsible for defending northern Taiwan.

The Army currently operates around 1,000 tanks, including CM-11 Brave Tiger tanks and M60A3 Patton tanks.

The military has commissioned the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, along with other institutions, to enhance the firepower and survivability of its 460 Patton tanks. Upgrades include new fire control, targeting, and observation systems, as well as a 105 mm barrel.

The tanks will also be equipped with a radar warning system and night-vision thermal imaging devices to improve situational awareness.