Japan selects Beechcraft T-6 Texan II

The Japanese Ministry of Defense has selected the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, made by Textron Aviation, as its next primary training aircraft. This turboprop trainer will replace the indigenous Fuji T-7, operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). With this selection ends a long line of Japanese-built training aircraft which all stem from the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor.

Fuji (now Subaru) first manufactured the T-34 under license as the primary trainer for the JASDF and later developed the Fuji T-3 to replace the Mentors. A further upgrade was the Fuji T-7, which replaced the T-3 in the JASDF basic training wings from 2002.

The Texan II, backed by the Kanematsu Corporation, was one of four proposals offered to the Japanese MoD. Lost other contenders were the PC-7MKX backed by Subaru, the Hürkuş backed by The Hundred Trading Corp., and a proposal for only ground educational equipment without an actual aircraft.

Currently the majority of the 49 T-7s are operated by 11 Hiko Kyoikudan from Shizuhama and 12 Hiko Kyoikudan from Hofu-Kita. A few are in use as temporary instructional frames by 1 Jyutsuka Gakko at Hamamatsu and one T-7 is used by the Hiko Kaihatsu Jikkendan at Gifu.

Some comments on social media suggests the T-6 will also be selected to replace the Kawasaki T-4, however for the moment this is just a rumour.

Photo: Textron Aviation