Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense is moving forward with plans to acquire six E-2D airborne early warning and control aircraft from the American defense giant Northrop Grumman. This decision is driven by ongoing military pressures from China, which has been increasing its incursions near the self-governing island and advancing the development of its next-generation stealth aircraft.
The procurement of the E-2D variant comes as a strategic update to replace the aging fleet of E-2K Hawkeyes currently in service. However, the Ministry has not released specific details regarding the budget and timeline for this acquisition. Taiwan’s initial fleet featured four E-2T aircraft that entered service in 1995, upgraded to the E-2K model in 2013, with additional E-2Ks introduced in 2005. The operational fleet size currently stands at five, following the damage and subsequent retirement of one aircraft due to costly repair estimates after an accident in 2022.
Taiwan has previously sought to purchase these advanced Hawkeye systems on two occasions, but the initial requests were declined due to concerns over the redundancy with existing ground-based radar installations. This latest opportunity marks a renewed effort, especially as an insider revealed that production lines are becoming active to meet a contract from Japan for the same aircraft system.
Military expert Mei Fuxing, who leads the Taiwan Strait Security Research Center, noted in July 2024 that this might be a critical “window of opportunity” for Taiwan to secure the E-2D Hawkeyes at a competitive price before the end of 2026. The ultimate decision on funding will rely heavily on Taiwan’s proposal to the U.S., which will consider system and support options as well as how much of the existing equipment can be repurposed or utilized.
The E-2D Hawkeye is among the most advanced aircraft employed by the U.S. Navy and has seen use by multiple countries, including Japan, France, and Egypt. The aircraft boasts advanced technological features, including continuous 360-degree coverage that operates in all weather conditions. It is equipped with the AN/APY-9 radar developed by Lockheed Martin, capable of detecting and tracking aerial and maritime targets at ranges exceeding 550 kilometers (341 miles).
The E-2D measures 57 feet (17 meters) in length and can achieve speeds over 300 knots (555 kilometers/345 miles per hour), with a service ceiling of 37,000 feet (11,277 meters). Operated by a crew of five personnel—comprising two pilots and three mission systems operators—it is powered by two Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A turboprop engines.
