Japan ready to purchase five more E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft

Japan ready to purchase five more E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft

By Dario Leone
Mar 9 2023
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The State Department has made a determination on Mar. 7, 2023 approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft.

The State Department has made a determination on Mar. 7, 2023 approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.381 billion. According to Transmittal No: 23-14, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Japan has requested to buy up to five (5) E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft; twelve (12) T56-A-427A Engines (10 installed, 2 spares); six (6) Multifunction Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System Terminals (5 installed, 1 spare); five (5) APY-9 Radars (installed); five (5) AN/AYK-27 Integrated Navigation Control and Display Systems (installed); twelve (12) LN-251 Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation Systems with Embedded Airborne Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module or M-Code Receiver (10 installed, 2 spares); and six (6) ALQ-217 Electronic Support Measures Systems (5 installed and 1 spare). Also included are aircraft ancillary equipment; modifications; spare and repair parts; support equipment; publications and technical documentation; software; personal protective equipment; personnel training and training equipment; ferry services; U.S. Government and contractor logistics, engineering, and technical support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total program cost is $1.381 billion.

The proposed sale will improve Japan’s ability to effectively provide homeland defense utilizing an AEW&C capability. Japan will use the E-2D AHE aircraft to provide AEW&C situational awareness of air and naval activity in the Pacific region and to augment its existing E-2C Hawkeye AEW&C fleet. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

According to USNI News, the deal’s approval comes as Japan’s prime minister has called for his country to spend more on defense capabilities due to North Korea’s missile program and China’s growing military capability.

It also comes as the United States seeks more cooperation between the US, Japan and South Korea. The three countries performed trilateral ballistic missile defense exercises last month after North Korea conducted missile tests.

Japan received two E-2Ds in 2020 after receiving the first aircraft in March of 2019, Naval News previously reported. Japan received two more aircraft in October 2022, Shephard Media reported.

The State Department in 2018 greenlit the sale of 9 E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes to Japan for a deal worth $3.135 billion.

The E-2D AHE is the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform. It features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that will improve supportability and increase readiness.

The E-2D continues the US Navy’s integrated war fighting legacy by providing broad area coverage resulting in broader range capabilities. With the E-2D’s enhanced ability to work in the littoral and over land, the platform provides a critical capability to protect our nation’s interests.

Beyond the battle group, the Hawkeye’s command and control capability makes it a multi-mission platform through its ability to coordinate concurrent missions that may arise during a single flight, to include: airborne strike, land force support, rescue operations, managing a reliable communications network between widely dispersed nodes and support for drug interdiction operations. The use of the new glass cockpit and tactical fourth operator display allows the five-person crew more flexibility in fulfilling these diverse missions.

Photo credit: Northrop Grumman

E-2 print
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. E-2C Hawkeye 2000 VAW-112 Golden Hawks, NG600 / 165820 / 2015

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Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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