Local Japanese media reported on October 11, 2018, that an additional nine Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning aircraft will be acquired for the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF). The Asia Nikkei Aria Review said the additional aircraft will come at a cost of $3.12 billion.
Japan announced an intention to order an original batch of four E-2Ds in 2015, with one aircraft ordered in November 2015 and the second in August 2016. The first aircraft made its maiden flight from Northrop Grumman’s facility in St. Augustine, Florida, on October 9, 2017.
The E-2D is replacing 11 earlier E-2C Hawkeyes that entered service with the JASDF in 1982 and are based at Misawa and Naha Air Bases, operating under the Keikai Kokutai (AEW Group). Nigel Pittaway
