August 7, 2007:
Japan is again
trying to get the F-22. Many in the U.S. Congress are opposed to any export of
the F-22, and its technologies. There's a law on the books to that effect, so
any sale to Japan would require the cooperation of Congress. A major problem
for the Japanese is a recent security scandal involving leaks of U.S. AEGIS
radar secrets. In the past, Japan has been the conduit for crucial military
technology getting to China and the former Soviet Union.
The Japanese are serious about
getting the F-22, which they consider essential to defending their air space,
and being able to penetrate enemy air space, to destroy ballistic and cruise
missiles before they can be launched. To that end, Japan is going to upgrade
their F-15J and F-4EJ aircraft with improved electronics, to provide several
more years of high-tech aircraft in service, until the "F-22J" can show up
(this could take a decade).