In May 1993, the contract for four E-2T, T standing for Taiwan, was signed
between the US and Taiwan.
It had been announced that these E-2T would be rebuilt E-2B fitted with
AN/APS-138 radars.
The first E-2T was officially handed over to the ROCAF on May 9, 1995.
Two E-2T arrived in Taiwan by sea on September 3 of the same year, followed by
the second pair on September 23.
Although the four E-2T all have E-2B Bureau Numbers, both ROCAF officials
and local media claimed that they were in fact all new-built Hawkeyes
equivalent to the E-2C Group II standard, with the more advanced AN/APS-145 radar.
It was also said that only few parts on these aircraft were symbolically taken
from the old E-2B.
Judged from their US $700 million price tag, such a statement seems quite plausible.
On July 31, 1999, the US DoD announced a further sale to Taiwan
of two E-2T Hawkeye 2000 aircraft, two AN/APS-145 radars,
two T56-A-427 engines, two OE-335/A antenna groups, two Mission Computer Upgrade/Advanced
Control Indicator Sets,
two Passive Detection System
upgrades of software laboratory, spares, and related support, for the sum of US $400 million.
The first of the two Hawkeye 2000 was accepted by ROCAF officials at Northrop Grumman's
St. Augustine facility, where the aircraft was manufactured, on August 10, 2004.
The second Hawkeye 2000 was received in October.
Both aircraft, serialed 2505 and 2506, were transported to Taiwan by sea and arrived at the port
of Kaoshiung on May 19, 2005;
they were offloaded and towed to Kaoshiung International Airport overnight.
On May 26, the two Hawkeye 2000 departed Kaoshiung and flew a short hop to their home base
at Pingtung.
Service History
On June 1, 1995, before the E-2T were delivered, the ROCAF established an Airborne Early Warning
and Electronic Warfare (AEW&EW) Squadron under the 439th (6th) Composite Wing at Pingtung.
At that time, the AEW&EW Sq. operated a single C-130HE.
Following their delivery, the E-2T were also assigned to AEW&EW Sq.
All the E-2T and the C-130HE were officially commissioned on November 22, 1995.
On January 1, 2000, the previously disbanded 20th Group, used to be a Airlift Group, stood up
again at Pingtung, this time as an Electronic Warfare Group.
The E-2T are assigned to the re-established 2nd AEW Squadron of the 20th Group.
Fleet Images
Fleet Information
| Tail No. |
Bureau No. |
Remark |
| 2501 |
151709 |
|
| 2502 |
151710 |
|
| 2503 |
151724 |
Extensively damaged 03/20/97. Subsequently repaired & returned to service. |
| 2504 |
152479 |
|
| 2505 |
166418 |
E-2C Hawkeye 2000 |
| 2506 |
166419 |
E-2C Hawkeye 2000 |
|
439th CW
439th CW (variant)
20th EWG
AEW&EW Sq. (not current)
2nd AEWS
