Kawasaki T-4

The Kawasaki T-4 is a subsonic intermediate jet trainer built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, its only operator because of long-standing limits on Japanese arms exports. Kawasaki won the MT-X programme in November 1981 against bids from Mitsubishi and Fuji, with a design first called the KA-850, to replace the aging Lockheed T-33 and Fuji T-1. The first XT-4 prototype flew on 29 July 1985 and deliveries to the service began in September 1988. Besides training it has flown with the Blue Impulse aerobatic team and as a liaison aircraft with most fighter units. It is powered by two Ishikawajima-Harima F3-IHI-30 turbofans.