Hopes of buying F-22 still alive

March 25, 2008

DEFENCE Minister Joel Fitzgibbon will step up pressure on the US to overturn its ban on the sale of the F-22 Raptor fighter, amid growing federal government concern about delays and cost increases affecting the Joint Strike Fighter program.

Foreign sales of the F-22, described by many aviation experts as the world's best air superiority fighter, are banned by Congress, but there are signs that Washington might make an exemption for Australia.


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I uh....don't see that happening, even for as allied a country is as Australia. Its the Raptor...too much tech to let go elsewhere.

I honestly can't see more than the current number being produced; be it for Australia, Japan, or even out of the USAF wanting more.

This post has been edited by CayceG: Apr 6 2008, 04:53 PM

Yeah, if we let the Raptor get out of our grasp, it could result in epic fail. Let Australia haggle the UK for some Typhoons or something.

This post has been edited by tehgeneral: Apr 6 2008, 04:58 PM

We shouldn't sell the Raptor to anyone. I HIGHLY doubt the government would let what is arguably one of the best air superiority fighters in the world to go to Australia. Even England which has to be our closest ally will probably never get their hands on it.

To offer this aircraft for sell to anyone would be incredibly stupid. I would be some China plan would set into action for and "accidental" crash of an Australian F-22 in which they could then get it back to China to be picked apart so its greatness could be copied.

Some Australians could probably get very rich from such an "accident".

Why go to those lengths when they can spy on a factory making an F-22 equivalent a mere 190 miles from their border?

I suppose you believe the moon landings were staged as well eh?

In a way, I see two outcomes for this. Either congress will give the Australians the finger, or they'll rip tons of the high tech out of it and sell them what amounts to an airframe with engines. Either way, it won't be what the Australians are looking for.

They have many other opportunities in the fighter area, that can fill their deficit. The Typhoon would be a good one to go after. The Gripen is also a good choice, both should be more readily gotten than the Raptor.

*CENSORED*.

You.

I'm all for that.

I wasnt being serious guys.......hence the rolling eyes

You know, it's pretty awesome to see how American the Raptor is being made in the forum. Anyways, I agree
entirely with us giving the F-22 up. If it was given up to Australia and we go to war with them, it would make for one
big pain to shoot those Raptors down. Plus the USAF would lose plenty of men in the process.

.... Riiight. Still a really crappy "joke".

...in all honesty, how likely do you think the chances are of that?

I highly doubt we'd have a problem with a war with Australia. And why do you WANT the US to have more casualties?

He's 14, so he's a stupid kid. So probably high.


... The chance I mean.

I don't really think that it's just a joke. It could potentially happen. Australia is in the Southeast Asia area, and China is known for employing such tactics in the past. Shooting down civilian planes and potential military targets has happened "by accident before." Greed (and nationalism/patriotism) can be a powerful motivator.

Not saying it will happen, but it's better to keep it (the F-22) in the USA's hands alone. Sharing our ultimate technology is probably not the best idea.

FWIW, if you guys don't remember, a few years ago there was an Aussie engineer who was layed off/fired from his missile contractor development job. He offered his "unique" services to the highest bidder over the internet. I can see someone like him, feeling slighted by his employer/government, selling out to a foreign country like China or a terrorist organization, both to get back at his employer and to earn enough money that he'd never need to work again.

Update: Funny how the internet and governments have a way of obscuring the news they choose to censor. I know damn well that happened a few years back but can not find any article mentioning it on Google. Perhaps my choice of search terms? Oh well.

This post has been edited by komatos: Apr 8 2008, 07:49 AM

The same thing could happen with an American; remember the Northrop engineer in Hawaii who sold the B-2's engine design to China?

Oh yeah, I remember. It happens in every country around the world. I just think Yukikaze might've took it personally (the so-called joke) since his profile says he lives in Australia. I think it really isn't a joke. Anything is possible. And FWIW, the US and Australia are already collaborating on a missile defense program.

Back to what someone else said, we can't even make enough to meet our USAF's needs. Why sell them to other countries before we have enough for us? Seems weird, is all.

We could make enough for the USAF's needs, but Congress keeps cutting that number back. Lockheed could easily produce more after the USAF's order and before shutting down the assembly line.