The first of three upgraded Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft for the Mexican navy was rolled out on 21 January by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) at Ben Gurion international airport in Tel Aviv. Mexico has purchased three ex-Israeli air force Hawkeyes, which were transferred in March 2003 from the Hazerim air base to the Bedek division of IAI, where they were equipped with new sensors.
The deal is valued at $30 million and the upgraded aircraft will be delivered in the second quarter of this year for use primarily in counter-drug operations.
Source: Flight International
