Taiwan has taken delivery of two upgraded E-2K early warning aircraft (EWA) from the US as part of a $6.5bn foreign arms deal agreed between the two nations in 2008.
The two E-2K aircraft, originally known as E-2T, were acquired in 1995 and were sent to the US in June 2010 to be upgraded.
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The aircraft will enter service with the Taiwan Air Force within ten days after undergoing a series of flight tests.
The Northrop Grumman-built E-2K is an all-weather early warning and control system platform equipped with eight-blade propellers, upgraded radar and surveillance systems, software and avionics.
The Hawkeye 2K features a Raytheon mission computer upgrade (MCU), a Lockheed Martin advanced control indicator set (ACIS), cooperative engagement capability (CEC), satellite communications, and new navigation and flight control systems.
The aircraft’s communication suite also includes AN/ARC-158 UHF and AN/ARQ-34 HF data links and a joint tactical information distribution system (JTIDS) for secure voice and data communications.
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By GlobalDataThe upgraded aircraft are expected to further reduce warning times if China launched an air attack.
The arms sale also includes advanced interceptor Patriot missiles, Apache attack helicopters and submarine-launched missiles, as reported by Agence France Presse.
As part of the agreement, Taiwan sent an additional two E-2Ts to the US for upgrading last month that are scheduled to be delivered before the end of 2011.
Currently, Taiwan operates four E-2Ts and two E-2Ks that were acquired in 2006.
The aircraft is also in service with the air forces of France, Egypt and Japan.
