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Wednesday, August 1, 2007

F-22s for Americans only: Congress denies sales to Japan, Israel

The F-22 fighter jet. East-Asia-Intel.com
WASHINGTON — Congress has blocked hopes by close U.S. allies to procure the U.S.-origin F-22 fighter-jet.

The House Appropriations Committee has passed legislation that would ban the export of the F-22 to any foreign government. Officials said this would stymie plans by Israel and Japan to obtain the advanced fighter over the next three years, Middle East Newsline reported.

"It would be a blow to any U.S. ally that has been negotiating with us for the F-22," an official said.

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The F-22, regarded as a stealth combat platform, was developed to replace the F-15 fighter-jet fleet. The aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, has been criticized by Congress for its rising costs.

Officials said Israel requested the F-22 as part of efforts to increase the military's qualitative edge over Arab neighbors and Iran. They said the U.S. Defense Department, eager to win Congress's approval for a $20 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab allies, agreed to consider an Israeli request for the F-22.

But officials said the Pentagon has rejected an Israeli proposal to procure the F-22 by 2010. They said the Pentagon concluded that F-22 technology should not be released outside the United States.

On July 25, the State Department acknowledged the House legislation to ban F-22 exports. A department statement did not mention Israeli efforts to acquire the F-22.

"U.S. law prohibits the U.S. from selling the F-22," the department said. "The United States is committed to working with Japan as Japan chooses its future fighter aircraft, to find the appropriate capabilities for a strong and credible alliance."

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