Taiwan seeks to order E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft from the US to track new Chinese fighter jets

The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China plans to strengthen airspace monitoring by purchasing additional E-2D airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft, which will improve the tracking of Chinese aircraft.

DEF reported on this.

The Ministry of National Defense is expected to submit a request to purchase six E-2D aircraft to replace the outdated E-2K aircraft in the Republic of China Air Force.

The exact cost of the procurement has not been disclosed, but it is noted that the amount will depend on the choice of subsystems and the possibility of using auxiliary equipment from existing aircraft, and the final price will be determined after the actual request is submitted.

It is worth noting that between 2018 and 2020, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense considered purchasing new airborne early warning aircraft, but due to financial difficulties, these plans were postponed, as the existing radar systems were sufficient at that time.

With Chinese aircraft becoming more active near the island after 2022, Taiwan has returned to the idea of purchasing new aircraft.

If this decision is made in 2025, a formal procurement request could be issued in 2026, with the first aircraft likely to be delivered between 2031 and 2032.

It should be noted that the Republic of China Air Force has been using the E-2 K since 1995. In 1999, two additional aircraft were ordered, bringing the total number of aircraft to six. In 2013, these aircraft were upgraded to the E-2K variant.

Despite the modernization, these aircraft are facing increasing technical difficulties, including problems with airframes, electronic systems and a shortage of spare parts.

Militarnyi previously reported that the United States had begun production of the AWACS E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for the French Navy.

The agreement between France and the United States was concluded under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

Delivery of the first completed E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is expected in 2027.