After a two-year flight test program, the Japan Air Self Defense Force has introduced its first new intelligence gathering aircraft.

JASDF announced the RC-2 electronic intelligence (or Elint) collection aircraft at a ceremony held on October 1st at the Inama Air Force Base in the western suburbs of Tokyo, Japan.

RC-2Based on Kawasaki Heavy Industries' C-2 aircraft transport, significant modifications have been made to multiple aircraft fairings that include antennas for detecting, receiving, and classifying electronic radiation. The aircraft made its maiden flight in early 2018, although the model has been under development since at least 2015.

Since then, it has conducted a series of flight tests in Jerf, where the elite squadron of Iruma is located.

RC-2 will replace the four NAMC YS-11EB currently in service in the squadron, although it is not yet clear what the new one will beplatformWill it replace YS-11EB in a one-on-one manner. On the same day that the RC-2 enlisted, the Ministry of National Defense issued its latest budget request, hoping to obtain $67.2 million by purchasing an unspecified quantity of RC-2 to purchase more special Elint systems.

Japan is also seeking to readjust its confrontational and disruptive capabilities. The latest budget request seeks $144.9 million for the development of a new anti zone jamming aircraft, which will also be based on C-2, as shown in the accompanying images released by the department.

This aircraft is likely to replace the two YS-11EAs currently in service in JASDF's electronic warfare squadron (also located in Iruma), and may even be the only Kawasaki EC-1.

EC-1 is based on the old Kawasaki C-1, and Japan is gradually replacing it with C-2. The latest budget request is seeking $487.5 million to purchase two additional air transport aircraft in the next fiscal year.

Japan purchased C-2 at a relatively slow pace and sponsored a total of 7 aircraft from fiscal years 2014 to 2018. No funding was provided for this in the fiscal year 2019.

In recent years, the country has also begun to consider purchasing Lockheed Martin from the United StatesC-130JSuper Hercules air transport aircraft as a cheaper option.

US allies are also seeking an additional $47.4 million to develop a new Elint collection system, which will ultimately replace the four Lockheed EP-3C Orion aircraft currently operated by the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force on a new platform.