TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US has completed production of a third batch of 28 Abrams tanks that will soon be shipped to Taiwan.

A Ministry of National Defense official told CNA that conversion training for the third batch will begin immediately after the tanks arrive. The second batch began training in December at the Kengzikou proving grounds in Xinfeng, Hsinchu, conducting gunnery drills and evaluating sighting and observation systems.

Tank crews carried out target practice with the tank’s 120mm gun and a mounted machine gun, the official said.

After crews complete training and return to their assigned bases, they will proceed with readiness training and evaluations. They are expected to form a second tank battalion in the second quarter of this year, per CNA.

The Abrams tanks will be deployed under the Sixth Army Corps to defend northern Taiwan.

The Army currently fields about 1,000 tanks, including CM-11 Brave Tiger tanks and M60A3 Patton tanks, most of which have been in service for more than 20 years. The Patton tanks are being equipped with new engines and upgraded fire-control systems to give them “hunter-killer” capabilities.