After previous attempts and negotiations, the Taiwanese government is reportedly seeking to renew talks with the United States for the purchase of new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft to replace the current E-2K models operated by the Taiwanese Air Force. Various sources indicate that the intention is to acquire a total of six new units to strengthen the island’s defense system amid rising tensions with China.
In this context, it is worth noting that Taiwanese authorities have previously requested the sale of the new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, from the United States on two occasions but later withdrew their requests, believing that the existing number of ground-based radars was sufficient to monitor the island’s airspace. However, due to the increasing incursions of aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in recent months, the local government is seeking to renew negotiations to acquire this critical early warning capability.
Meanwhile, to ensure the operational readiness of the Taiwanese Air Force’s current E-2K fleet, a modernization plan is underway to upgrade the aircraft’s systems. In March 2024, Northrop Grumman, in collaboration with Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), announced the launch of a partnership aimed at upgrading these aircraft. Prior to this, a Letter of Intent had been signed in February.
The agreement “establishes a partnership between Northrop Grumman and AIDC in the joint pursuit of opportunities to support Taiwan’s future E-2K fleet requirements, whether through acquisitions or upgrades“, stated Janice Zilch, Vice President of Multi-Domain Command and Control (MDC2) Programs at Northrop Grumman. It is worth noting that the Taiwanese Air Force currently operates a fleet of six E-2 aircraft: four in the E-2T version and two E-2K models, all of which are planned to undergo upgrades.
The decision by the Taiwanese government and Air Force aligns with other longstanding Hawkeye operators, such as France and Japan, which are in the process of upgrading their fleets to the more advanced E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to replace their E-2C and E-2D models, respectively.
Designated as the Advanced Hawkeye, the E-2D is the latest variant of the carrier-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. Among its various upgrades aimed at enhancing detection and control capabilities, the most notable is the integration of the new APY-9 AESA radar, provided by Lockheed Martin. Northrop Grumman also highlights the addition of new avionics systems, improvements to electronic countermeasures, upgraded IFF systems, enhanced communications and datalink capabilities, advanced mission computers, and redesigned tactical workstations.
