Textron Aviation Defense has finalized a contract to supply the first Beechcraft T-6JP Texan II trainer aircraft to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), marking a major step in Japan’s military pilot training modernization program. The agreement follows Japan’s decision in January to select the Texan II as a replacement for its aging Fuji/Subaru T-7 training fleet, which has been operational since the early 2000s.
Under the initial contract, Textron will deliver two T-6JP aircraft, along with pilot instruction packages and sustainment training support. The US-based manufacturer will work closely with Kanematsu Corporation, its Tokyo-based industrial partner, to manage delivery and in-country coordination. Both aircraft are scheduled to be handed over to the JASDF in 2029, with the contract also including an option for follow-on orders.
Designed as a two-seat turboprop trainer, the Texan II is intended to prepare pilots and maintenance crews for the transition to advanced fighter aircraft. The platform can be configured to meet varying training requirements, including precision navigation aids, a digital terrain elevation system, onboard virtual training links, and compatibility with NATO-standard weapons for lead-in fighter training roles.
Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine producing approximately 1,100 horsepower and equipped with a four-bladed Hartzell propeller, the Texan II reaches speeds of 280 knots and operates at altitudes of up to 31,000 feet. With more than 1,000 aircraft in service worldwide and over five million flight hours logged, the Texan II supports aircrew training programs in 15 countries and two NATO flight schools, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s most widely used military trainer aircraft.
