TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Armaments Bureau is planning to produce 120 mm tank ammunition to ensure a stable supply of munitions for Taiwan’s M1A2T tanks.

Fisher Huang (黃思勳), country lead executive of Northrop Grumman’s Taiwan office, said the military seeks to establish automated production capabilities for Abrams ammunition with the help of Northrop Grumman, according to Liberty Times.

Production will be carried out following testing standards and approved materials, Huang said. If the military allocates funding for the project in next year’s budget, construction of a new facility and production line could begin as early as next year.

Domestic production guarantees Taiwan’s Armed Forces would use the same quality ammunition as the US military and enables Taiwan to become part of Northrop’s supply chain, the executive said. This would strengthen bilateral military cooperation while allowing Taiwan to recoup its investment.

This development comes after President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) meeting with US Congressman Ami Bera in June, during which Lai hoped Taiwan-US military cooperation could progress from arms procurement to a partnership of joint production and development.

Taiwan received an initial batch of 38 Abrams in December and delivery is expected to be completed during the first quarter of next year. The military will debut the tanks on Tuesday, the second day of the Han Kuang live-fire drills.