Buy F-22 Raptors or face air gap: Beazley

Posted on: Jun. 27th, 2006 || Source: theaustralian.news.com.au | E-mail Article | Print Article

Buy F-22 Raptors or face air gap: Beazley

AUSTRALIA should consider buying US F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to avoid a serious gap opening up in the RAAF's air combat power after 2010, Kim Beazley said yesterday.

Pointing to possible delays in the $16billion Joint Strike Fighter program, the Opposition Leader claimed the RAAF was about to lose its technological superiority in Southeast Asia as neighbouring countries acquired more sophisticated aircraft.

"It's a very serious situation. A big capability gap is building up now - Australia versus the region," he said.

"We have always enjoyed technological superiority. We are now about to lose it."

The US House of Representatives voted last week to lift a 10-year-old ban on foreign sales of the F-22, built by the JSF contractor, Lockheed Martin.

The F-22, an air superiority fighter, is already in production but at about $180 million each remains much more expensive than the JSF, which is expected to undertake its maiden flight in October.

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