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.
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."
