US seeks to lift export sales ban on F-22A

Posted on: Jun. 26th, 2006 || Source: janes.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

The US Congress is poised to lift a ban of almost nine years on export sales of the F-22A Raptor aircraft following a vote to lift the ban in the US House of Representatives on 20 June.

US lawmakers approved an amendment to the 2007 defence appropriations bill that would allow F-22A manufacturer Lockheed Martin to sell the next-generation fighter jet to other countries seeking to upgrade their fighter fleets. Potential customers include Japan and South Korea.

The amendment to lift the ban on foreign sales was introduced by Republican representative Kay Granger, whose Texas district is home to the Fort Worth headquarters of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

Granger's amendment comes at a time when foreign sales of the F-22A could prove crucial to Lockheed Martin's business, while future sales to the US government are no longer guaranteed.

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