On November 29, 2024, Japan’s Ministry of Defence announced the selection of Textron Aviation Defense’s Beechcraft T-6C Texan II turboprop trainer to replace the Fuji T-7 primary trainers currently operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The T-6C was offered in partnership with Japan’s Kanematsu Corporation, while a separate proposal from Shintoa Corporation focused exclusively on a ground training system. This selection represents a key step in the modernization of the JASDF’s pilot training infrastructure.
