The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has initiated the procurement of a new batch of Fuji T-5 turboprop primary military training aircraft. Subaru Corporation, formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries, has been awarded the contract to produce the aircraft, continuing its longstanding role as the manufacturer of Japan’s military training fleet. The contract, valued at JPY 7.6 billion (USD 53 million), is set to run from 2024 to 2034. The procurement is part of a broader initiative by the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) to replace aging training assets. According to the MoD’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), the new aircraft will ensure that the JMSDF can “maintain the necessary training capacity” for its personnel. The order includes 30 new T-5 trainers, which will replace the current fleet, expected to reach the end of its operational life after 2027.
The T-5 trainer was designed to replace the piston-engined Fuji KM-2, which was itself an evolution of the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor. The T-5, also known as the KM-2Kai, features a modern turboprop engine and significant design upgrades, making it a reliable platform for training pilots. It has been in service with the JMSDF since the late 1980s, with the first batch of 40 aircraft entering service in 1988. The T-5 is powered by a single 350 hp Rolls-Royce 250-B17D turboprop engine, providing the aircraft with a top speed of 193 knots and a range of 510 nautical miles. Its all-metal low-wing design, retractable landing gear, and aerobatic capabilities make it well-suited for military training purposes. The aircraft seats two occupants, the instructor and the student, in a side-by-side configuration, ensuring optimal interaction during flight training.
To streamline costs and ensure efficiency in production, the Japanese government is contributing engines and other key components for the new T-5 trainers. This measure is part of an effort to reduce the financial burden of acquiring new aircraft while still delivering cutting-edge training tools to the JMSDF. The new fleet of T-5 trainers will replace the second batch of 30 aircraft, which have served the JMSDF since their procurement in the early 2000s. The original batch of 36 aircraft, acquired in 1988, was phased out after the end of its operational life, and the Japan Ministry of Defense now faces a similar timeline for the current fleet.
This acquisition signals Japan’s continued commitment to strengthening its self-defense capabilities by investing in essential training infrastructure. With a long service history, the T-5 has proven to be an invaluable asset for the JMSDF’s air training programs, and the procurement of a new fleet ensures that future generations of pilots will be equipped with the tools needed to protect Japan’s maritime interests. As the world observes rising regional tensions, Japan’s strategic decision to bolster its military readiness through the acquisition of new T-5 trainers is a reflection of its broader defense goals. By modernizing its fleet, the JMSDF ensures that it remains prepared to meet both present and future challenges.
