The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has started flight testing of its new Kawasaki EC-2 stand-off electronic warfare (EW) aircraft, with the platform completing its maiden flight on March 17, 2026, at Gifu Air Base in Gifu Prefecture.
JASDF, in coordination with ATLA, supported the first flight of the stand-off electronic warfare aircraft🛩️📡. We will continue working toward its introduction to improve capabilities in the electromagnetic domain and to strengthen the cross-domain operations capabilities. pic.twitter.com/bbMtjOFeP2
— Japan Air Self-Defense Force (@JASDF_PAO_ENG) March 18, 2026
The flight test campaign is being conducted jointly by the JASDF’s Aviation Development and Testing Group and the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA)
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft departed at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time and returned roughly three hours later. A Mitsubishi F-2B served as a chase aircraft during the flight, according to a post from an aviation spotter on X, though SOFX has not independently confirmed this detail.
The JASDF stated it “will continue working toward its introduction to improve capabilities in the electromagnetic domain and to strengthen the cross-domain operations capabilities.”
The EC-2 is derived from the Kawasaki C-2 twin-jet transport. It has been modified with a bulbous nose radome, two tandem fairings on the dorsal fuselage, and two additional fairings on the rear fuselage sides.
These fairings house electronic support measures (ESM), electronic countermeasures (ECM), and satellite communications (SATCOM) systems. Missile approach warning sensors (MAWS) are also installed around the fuselage as part of a self-defense suite.
https://t.co/rBniYCTWQK pic.twitter.com/rqA8ZXSNqG
— 航空自衛隊 航空開発実験集団 (@jasdf_adtc) March 17, 2026
Development began in 2021. Japan’s Ministry of Defense FY2025 budget documents allocated approximately $260 million to the program, drawn from a broader approximately $3.2 billion investment in intelligence collection and analysis capabilities.
ATLA selected the C-2 for its flight performance, payload capacity, and ability to conduct jamming from outside an opponent’s air defense threat envelope.
“By choosing the C-2 as the base platform, we make use of the existing infrastructure of the C-2 and thus effectively and efficiently operate the new C-2-based standoff EW aircraft,” an ATLA spokesperson told Janes in 2022.
未確認地上物体#岐阜基地#飛行開発実験団 pic.twitter.com/ZrwkmWeAUx
— 航空自衛隊 航空開発実験集団 (@jasdf_adtc) March 12, 2026
The EC-2 will replace the JASDF’s single Kawasaki EC-1, which entered service in 1986 and was retired in 2025. The JASDF plans to field four EC-2s, all operated by the Denshi Sakusengun (Electronic Warfare Operations Group) at Iruma Air Base in Saitama Prefecture.
Flight testing is expected to conclude this fiscal year, with operational fielding planned for 2027.
