Northrop Grumman, AIDC seek to upgrade Taiwan E-2K fleet

The Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) uses its E-2K Hawkeye fleet for aerial surveillance and command-and-control operations. (Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)

Northrop Grumman and Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) have announced a partnership to collaborate on a possible upgrade of Taiwan’s Northrop Grumman E-2K Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet.

According to AIDC, the Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) requires a strengthening of its reconnaissance, search, and early warning capabilities to offset the growing obsolescence of its E-2K fleet. Janes assesses that any proposed upgrade will seek to improve the existing E-2Ks to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye standard.

AIDC describes the RoCAF’s E-2K force as “an important player” in Taiwan’s airspace defence, as the aircraft is used to provide “aerial surveillance and command-and-control functions” while “effectively monitoring the surrounding airspace and identifying enemies”.