TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Two MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones and 102 Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptors purchased from the US are scheduled to be delivered to Taiwan this year, military officials told lawmakers on Monday.

Air Force Chief of Staff Li Ching-jan (李慶然) said during a legislative hearing that the first two MQ-9B high-altitude drones are expected to arrive in Taiwan in the third quarter, per Liberty Times. Ministry of National Defense Department of Strategic Planning Director Huang Wen-chi (黃文啓) said the additional PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles will also be delivered on schedule, per CNA.

The remarks came during a meeting of the Legislative Yuan Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, which reviewed Taiwan’s air defense and counter-drone capabilities in light of recent tensions in the Middle East.

Responding to lawmakers’ questions, Li said the MQ-9B drones would be delivered as planned this year. Officials also addressed progress on Taiwan’s indigenous submarine program.

Navy Chief of Staff Chiu Chun-jung (邱俊榮) said the domestically built submarine Hai Kun has completed submergence testing during its sixth sea acceptance test. Further trials will proceed with safety as the priority, with the final delivery schedule to be determined after testing, he added.

Lawmakers also asked whether global conflicts could affect the priority of Taiwan’s arms deliveries. Huang said US officials had reaffirmed in coordination meetings that the 102 PAC-3 MSE interceptors will be delivered this year as scheduled.

The PAC-3 MSE interceptor is a more advanced version of the Patriot missile used by Taiwan’s military and has a longer range. Since the missiles are larger, a launcher vehicle can carry 12 PAC-3 MSE missiles compared with 16 of the earlier variant.