United States donates T-1A Jayhawk to Uruguay

Uruguay has been offered four disused T-1A Jayhawks, the military training variant of the Beech 400. This donation falls under the realm of the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme where superfluous material is given or sold at low cost to allies.

The Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (FAU, Uruguay Air Force) does not operate twin engine business jets anymore. After the debacle with the impounded Hawker 700A that is for sale, no VIP or jet transport was acquired.

So, we can only speculate as to the task of these four aircraft. They will be donated "as is" so any conversion to search and rescue, transport or VIP-aircraft will have to be paid by Uruguay, as well as the transfer and maintenance costs.

Obtaining a couple more Brasilias or even a singel maritime patrol Beech 200/300 series aircraft would be far more logical, albeit even more costly probably...

Credit photo: Erwin van Dijkman