TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's military has renewed interest in procuring E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes after other countries have placed orders in recent years.
Taiwan originally considered buying a few of the early warning aircraft in 2020. However, the cost was remarkably high, as Taiwan was treated as a single buyer without leverage to negotiate a lower price, per Liberty Times.
The situation has shifted after France signed a contract for three Hawkeyes in early 2021. Japan received approval for five in 2023 and the US Navy announced an additional four aircraft in mid-2024. This rise in demand has sustained production lines and lowered production costs.
Taiwan currently operates six E-2K Hawkeyes, based on the older E-2T variants. Four E-2Ts were delivered in 1995, and two additional E-2Ks arrived in 2006. All were later upgraded to the Hawkeye 2000 standard.
The Advanced Hawkeye has improved battle management capabilities and shortens the time “between initial awareness and active engagement,” according to Northrop Grumman.