The ShinMaywa US-2 is a large Japanese short takeoff and landing amphibious aircraft that employs boundary layer control technology for enhanced STOL and stall suppression performance.

During 1969, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) issued a production order to Japanese seaplane manufacturer Shin Meiwa for a group of 21 anti-submarine aircraft, which were given the designation PS-1.

[2] During the 1990s when the US-1A fleet was beginning to show its age, the JMSDF attempted to obtain funding towards acquiring a replacement, but could not secure enough to develop an entirely new aircraft.

Therefore, during 1995, ShinMaywa, as Shin Meiwa had been renamed (reportedly so that the name would be easier to pronounce for non-Japanese speakers[2]) commenced work on a project to develop an upgraded and modernised version of the US-1A, initially referred to as the US-1A kai (US-1A 改 - meaning "improved US-1A").

This modified aircraft features numerous aerodynamic refinements over its predecessor, along with a pressurised hull, and the adoption of more powerful Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engines and electronic cockpit instrumentation.

Mitsubishi manufactures the outer wing sections and the rear part of the engine nacelles, while NIPPI Corporation builds the watertight landing gear housings, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries produces the cockpit.

[12] Since the early 2010s, the Indian Navy has an established requirement for between 12 and 18 US-2 amphibians configured as search and rescue aircraft at an anticipated cost of US$1.65 billion.

[16] The process of finalising purchase arrangements for the aircraft, which would represent the first sale of military equipment by Japan to India since the Second World War, have been protracted.

[21][22] During March 2018, Japanese ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu informed The Hindu Business Line that talks between the two nations were still in progress.

[25] Another prospective customer is Indonesia, which has been reportedly concerned by a growing Chinese military presence across the islands of the South China Sea.

[28] Following a series of deadly fires in the Attica region of Greece circa July 2018, the Greek government reportedly sought to order several US-2s to replace their aging firefighting fleet.