Japan's F-X delay could open door for Lockheed

Source URL: http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/11/21/Navigation/177/210626/Japan\\\'s+F-X+delay+could+open+door+for+Lockheed.html
Posted at: http://www.air-attack/com/news/news_article/2205

Japan could delay selecting the winner of its F-X replacement programme by up to two years because of funding issues, increasing the chances of Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor or the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in the competition.

"Officials from the JDA [Japan Defense Agency] have been saying recently that they are worried about the cost of US troop realignment in Japan. Although nothing has been confirmed yet, funds for the F-X programme could be diverted if they decide that troop realignment is their priority," says an industry official.

The JDA sent a letter to France, the UK and the USA in April asking for information on new fighters as replacements for its 91 Mitsubishi/McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ Kais, which will be phased out from 2010. A selection had been expected around mid-2007, with first delivery targeted for around 2012. That timeline, however, could now be delayed by two years - possibly to the detriment of early favourite Boeing.

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