TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The delivery of four MQ-9B drones will start on time in the third quarter of 2026, the Air Force said Thursday.

Lawmakers have voiced concern about delays in US weapons deliveries, partly because of the war in Ukraine. However, Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Ching-jan (李慶然) said work on the first two high-altitude armed drones is progressing according to plan, per CNA.

According to the defense budget, the military will take delivery next year of 14 Volcano mine-laying systems for the Army, the last 28 M1A2T Abrams tanks, and the first two of four MQ-9B drones. The Air Force budgeted NT$21.72 billion (US$718.18 million) for the four uncrewed aerial vehicles from General Atomics.

Legislators also asked whether data collected by the drones would be transmitted to the US before reaching Taiwan’s chain of command. The Air Force denied the suggestion, the Liberty Times reported. Officials said all information will go directly to Taiwan’s military and will not be shared with the US or Japan.

The two ground control stations Taiwan ordered for the system will be deployed at Air Force bases in Chiayi and Hualien. The MQ-9B can be armed with Hellfire and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for ground or air targets.