Gaining Haven MECs?

[Rebus]

I'm pretty early in first campaign, mid-May I think (3 regions, desperately trying to accumulate supplies to expand, 15 missions or so, etc), and have my first haven defence mission. Now that region acquired a MEC at some point. I recall seeing the notice for it, and noticed it on the haven management screen of course, but was too absorbed to notice why it triggered. So my question is: how are Haven MECs acquired? Is there anything to do to increase likelihood? Is it worth doing so?

(I only had time for first couple turns, and it seems I have the known bug and can't give orders to it anyway... I have enough units that I think I'll just play through mission rather than wait and load a pre-mission Avenger save once 1.1 hits)

[Zyrrashijn]

I got one via POI.

[Rebus]

Hmm, that might be the same for me. I recall an early mission with resistance agents as the reward, but in my excitement at finishing the mission I didn't look at the list of names.

Any other way to get them?

[Arcalane]

I believe it's a possible max-rank perk for Specialists?

[dodger]

I believe it's a possible max-rank perk for Specialists?

Yep the max rank I think it's center choice perk for Specialist allows a chance to receive a Resistance Mec for the region on a successful hack. It's also the one that give your permanent control of the hacked robotic unit IIRC.

I also got one as a 2 day POI scan.

[Rebus]

Cool, thanks for the info!