TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is sending 103 military personnel abroad for training this year as it prepares to take delivery of new weapon platforms in the next two years.

In preparation for new F-16V fighter jets, the Air Force will send 65 people to the US for a year-long program focused on advanced air combat, Liberty Times reported. It also plans to send 36 people there to complete a nine-month seed instructor course for MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. They are expected to finish by October.

Additionally, the Air Force will deploy one on-site representative each to oversee the production of its 66 F-16Vs and four SeaGuardian drones and ensure progress is made. All hardware will be delivered by 2027.

Two Navy personnel will be sent to North America this month to learn how to operate the combat management systems of Taiwan’s forthcoming light frigates. They are also tasked with developing operation manuals to facilitate future training. 

Taiwan expects to receive its F-16Vs by the end of 2026, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said in October. The US approved the sale of 66 F-16Vs to Taiwan for US$8 billion (NT$257 billion) in 2019.

According to a US Air Force spokesperson, the SeaGuardian drones will be delivered in two batches. Two drones will be delivered in 2026 and the other two in 2027.

Construction of the first of two light frigate prototypes began last January, while the second ship’s keel was laid in November.