TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan Air Force is reportedly planning to purchase six E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft from the US to replace its fleet of older Hawkeye variants.

The E-2D’s radar system has superior surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, particularly for detecting stealth aircraft, CNA reported. It can simultaneously track more than 3000 air and ground and provide “real-time, target-quality Common Operating Picture to joint forces,” per Northrup Grumman, the producer of the aircraft. The addition of E2-Ds would help Taiwan respond to China's escalation of military activities around the nation.

Efforts to procure E-2Ds have lasted for years. People familiar with the matter said that the Air Force previously sought to buy them twice but refrained due to reliance on land-based radar systems. 

Another factor was the high cost. Taiwan was treated as a single buyer without the leverage to negotiate a lower price. However, the situation shifted after France signed a contract for three Hawkeyes in early 2021 and Japan received approval for five in 2023.

The US Navy also announced an additional four aircraft in mid-2024. This rise in demand has sustained production lines and lowered production costs.

The Air Force currently operates six Hawkeyes. The first four were commissioned in 1995. Two additional aircraft were acquired in 1999. All were later upgraded to the Hawkeye 2000 standard.