TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Army will officially commission the first 38 M1A2T Abrams tanks it procured from the US at a ceremony late next month, reports said Wednesday.

Of the 108 tanks Taiwan had ordered, 80 have already arrived, with the final 28 expected during the first quarter of 2026, the Liberty Times reported. The first batch of 38 was deemed ready for use after training sessions and successful live-fire drills.

The Army’s 584th Armored Brigade in Hsinchu County will house most of the new tanks. The remainder will go to the 269th Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Taoyuan and the Armor Training Command in Hsinchu County.

During live-fire drills in July, four tanks hit 19 designated targets.  The event was livestreamed to the public as part of the Han Kuang 41 war games. Following the exercise, the Army described the new tank as a significant upgrade due to its improved mobility, firepower, survival capability, and battlefield management system.

The US approved the sale of the Abrams tanks, manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, in 2019. Taiwan set aside a budget of more than NT$40.52 billion (US$1.33 billion) to buy the tanks and related equipment.