Forum: General F-22A Raptor forum

Do the Japanese even use their planes at all?

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They use the F-2, but they drastically cut their orders short.

Problem with F-2, I guess, is the same as Italian/Brazilian AMX (A-1 here in Brazil): too much $$ spent for no reasonable short-term benefit. Sure, in the long run you get experience in projecting a modern combat plane, but right now it isn't worth the $$ spent. Dime for dime, Japan would be better with last gen. Vipers.
Japan is a good customer for F-22: politically close to US, good economy, etc.. Probably Australia, as pointed earleir, will probably also get some Raptors. Israel also might buy some, but that would make the situation in Middle East even more nervous than now, as Iran (alone?) would accuse the US with 'You want to destroy all the Muslims, blah blah blah', as they love to say. Too bad Brazil won't get it...

The Congress should Approve the Deal if Japan wants

with Abe now in power who is a supporter of altering article 9 of Japan's constitution, and more pro-military than other leaders before him, I will not be suprised at all if the Japanese choose the F-22A as their next fighter either by the end of this year or next year (but in a probably slightly different configuation of course).

All it is really down to is congress and the pentagon approving FMS of the F-22.

The pro's I see for the pentagon allowing sales to japan is that they would in effect have a few forward-deployed allied F-22 squadrons right on the back door and in striking distance of China and North Korea, which will put pressure on china not to think anything dumb with regards to Taiwan, and NK to not do anything dumb with SK or Japan.

Having the ability to gain air superiority very quickly and effectively in a sudden urgent conflict is a major and important priority for any country, and the USA and it's allies can pretty much garuntee this in the asia-pacific reigion if a conflict were to break out if a bunch of F-22 are stationed there. The pentagon should think strongly about this.

And hey! the US government could buy some more too, because the price for one would go down and the production line would stay open longer.

Regardless of who you export to, as you increase the number of customers, you present military competitors with more targets for espionage. A security leak could potentially reduce the US's technological advantage by years.

I doubt it seriously...just speculation and the media doing its normal "hype"...I don't believe it for a moment.

Quote:

The Congress should Approve the Deal if Japan wants

What do you believe that?

Just because an "allied" country wants something, doesn't mean the US should just go ahead and sell it to them.

Thank goodness the US Senate had the common sense to uphold the decision not to export Raptors.

Didn't your parents teach you to share? Wink

Corsair1963 wrote:

Didn't your parents teach you to share? Wink

I'm rather stingy with our best toys. Very Happy

I agree, that technology and weapons system should stay in country, no foreign involvement at all (this one should stay in house...period).

I have to disagree..............the same thing was said about the F-15 Eagle and the world didn't come crashing down when it was exported! Further, even if the F-22 was sold to allies it would surely be a small select group like Australia and/or Japan. Which, the US has very close ties with and already share much highly classified material.

The F-2 is actually a good airplane. My only issue is the canopy bow in it. Otherwise, a lighter Viper with bigger wings and lots of thrusties.

Lighter? I Don't Think So....

Japan has slashed F-2 production numbers due to cost overruns - technology issues aside, whatever makes you think they can afford the F-22 when they can't afford the F-2?

Plus, I would like to see that top of the line technology kept in house, as it should be in my opinion.

We need to keep that "edge" in my book, we give too much away as it is.

Forum: General F-22A Raptor forum

Will Japan be the first export customer?