Raptor to Japan

[harrogate]

Ten news in Sydney is tonight reporting that Bush told the Japanese PM he can buy Raptors in their meeting yesterday. The Aussies are now bleeting about why they were told they couldn't buy them.

Considering that they spat their dummies over the price of JSF and even the Super Hornet, where the Aussies ever serious about committing to the Raptor and its massive price tag?

It's the opposition parties who are kicking up the fuss, under the pretense of why the government isn't pushing to buy the best technology for Australia.

This new fuss is clearly just election year tactics by the opposition, but why are the US seemingly keener to sell to the Japanese than the Aussies?

The story ended with news that the Israelis have also been given an initial nod of approval to their efforts to acquire the Raptor.

[High_lander]

According to an article in A&SW, Japan wants a 'stealthy air-superiority fighter with a AESA'. The idea is that they will be used to spot and shoot down ALCM and VLCM (Air Launched Cruise Missiles & Verical Launched).

[Archimedes]

why are the US seemingly keener to sell to the Japanese than the Aussies?

Because the Japanese, in their search for a new fighter aircraft, seem rather keen on the Typhoon ahead of the US aircraft on offer [assuming that they wouldn't get access to the F-22]. The US government will not be keen on the notion that the Japanese may spend their defence billions with someone else...

Had the Aussies said 'We need something to bridge the gap between the F-111 and JSF' (which they did) and then said 'So we think we may obtain a squadron of Eurofighter Typhoons' (which they didn't), a nice tempting F-22 offer might well have emerged, keeping the egregious Dr Kopp a little quieter.

Or perhaps I'm just overly cyncial these days?

[Ex F111]

Since when has Saudi NOT been able to afford something??