SYDNEY — The Japanese military plans to buy Textron’s T-6 as part of its effort to modernize its pilot training fleet, the American plane-maker said in press release.
Textron’s Tuesday announcement did not disclose how many of the Beechcraft T-6 Texan IIs the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) would buy, but said the agreement also includes a comprehensive ground-based training system, training for instructor pilots and aircraft maintainers, and long-term logistic and sustainment support. The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II will replace the Fuji/Subaru T-7 aircraft that has been Japan’s basic trainer.
Five days after this story was published, a Japanese defense ministry spokesman replied to an email from Breaking Defense and revealed new details about the cost of the agreement.
“In the budget proposal for the fiscal year 2025, approximately 6.6 billion yen ($44 million USD) has been allocated for the acquisition of two new primary trainer aircraft, ground training equipment acquisition costs, and other related expenses,” the spokesman wrote on Feb 3.
Instead of committing to a fixed number of aircraft, the number to be acquired will be decided each year during Japan’s budget formulation process, the spokesman said.
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The Japanese moved quickly on the program, issuing a request for proposals in August 2024. The spokesman said they received four proposals in October last year.
In addition to Textron’s winning bid, Japan received bids from Subaru for the PC-7MKX manufactured by the Swiss Pilatus Aircraft company and related ground training equipment. The Shintoa Co. offered a proposal for ground training equipment made by Canada’s CAE, without an aircraft. Finally, Daihyaku Shoji Co., Ltd. presented a bid offering the Hurkus aircraft built by Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. and related ground training equipment.
The move continues Japan’s strong tendency to buy American weapons, not surprising given its status as a treaty ally, and one that faces a surging Chinese military in the region.
The 2025 Japanese defense budget included discussion of a project to “acquire new primary trainer and ground training equipment with the aim of operating them integrally … to efficiently and effectively train pilots of advanced fighter aircraft.” The budget did not include the cost or the number of aircraft to be acquired. Breaking Defense has reached out to the Japanese Ministry of Defense for comment.
There are more than 1,000 Beechcraft T-6s in service in 14 nations. In the Indo-Pacific, Japan’s air force will join the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Royal Thai Air Force, and the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force flying T-6s.
Textron said that finalization of the contract “is expected in 2025.”
Updated 2/5/25 at 7:44 AM ET with new information from the spokesperson.