JASDF Opts for Beechcraft T-6 Texan II as Next Basic Trainer
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Japan’s Ministry of Defence announced the selection of the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II as the Japan Air Self-Defece Force's new primary training aircraft late in November. Textron Aviation Defence partnered with the Japanese firm Kanematsu Corporation to offer the T-6C Texan II for the JASDF requirement to replace its Fuji T-7 basic trainer, which entered service in 2002.
The other contenders for the JASDF’s requirement for a next-generation primary training aircraft, were the Swiss Pilatus PC-7MKX and Turkish Aerospace Hurkus, which were proposed in partnership with Subaru Corporation and Daihyaku Shoji, respectively.
In its statement, the Japanese MoD stated that in the first stage evaluation, both the T-6 and the PC-7MKX met the requirements, while the Hurkus did not. In the second stage of the evaluation, the T-6 and related ground training equipment received the highest evaluation score and hence was selected as the JASDF’s next primary trainer aircraft.
The JASDF inducted 49 Fuji T-7’s, a two-seat basic/primary trainer powered by a turboprop engine.
