TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Army has begun conversion training for its second batch of 42 Abrams tanks.

The tanks, which arrived in Taiwan in July, were deployed to the Kengzikou proving grounds last week, CNA reported. Starting Monday, tank crews will conduct live-fire training to test their gun and targeting systems.

The crews will conduct day and nighttime shooting with their main cannon and mounted machine guns. Drills include firing at static and moving targets while stationary as well as in motion.

After training concludes, a graduation ceremony will take place at the end of January next year, followed by a commissioning ceremony at a later date to place them into combat-ready status.

The third batch of 28 tanks will arrive in early January and will follow the same training model.

The Army held an inauguration ceremony for its first tank battalion in October at the 584th Armored Brigade base in Hsinchu.

The Army allocated NT$40.52 billion (US$1.31 billion) from 2019 to 2027 to buy 108 Abrams from the US. Most of the new tanks will be deployed with the 584th Armored Brigade. The remainder will go to the 269th Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Taoyuan and the Armor Training Command in Hsinchu County.