F22 export ban lifted

Finn McCool said:

I doubt that South Korea will recieve the F-22 even if it asked for it. South Korea is drifting into China's orbit.

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Not really. First of all you're exaggerating somewhat.

Second what has happened is more of a temporary phenomenon due to President Roh flailing around for popular "policies". Ms Park (Opposition leader) looks like she'll win the next Presidential election - she's much more rational in regards to working with the US and Japan, while not rewarding North Korea for bad behaviour. Equally I don't see her pushing South Korea towards China.

That said I don't think South Korea could afford them with things the way they are now. It would be somewhat unnecessary.

Cygnus X-1 said:

What this basically means is that even though you have paid for the planes (and therefore own them) you cannot use the full capability of the planes unless they're used in engagements 'approved' by the Pentagon - even if you are an allied as close as Britain.

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the limitation is on modifying the system to accept alternative weapons (such as newer more advance missiles developed locally). you can hit any you want, but you can only use weapons the planes has already been programmed for... if you want to add a new weapon, you will have to ask US to patch the OS for you.

the current F22 is "upgraded" with the F35's weapon system since the original system developed doesn't have strike capability at all... it is therefore the same issue that is bugging the F35 deal with UK threatening out of that project...

UK want's to be able to develop new toys for the F35; which it can export to other users...

FYI, the export ban on sales of the F-22 has not been lifted--the Senate was not for it.

planeman said:

Anyway, New Zealand has a fighter need....

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New Zealand has a fighter need, but thanks to a certain female prime minister they no longer have an air force. Whats left could better be described as a state run air cargo service on behalf of the army. Don't expect any orders for combat aircraft in that part of the world anytime soon. Even if they had retained their air combat force, making the jump from second hand A-4 skyhawks to F-22 Raptors would probably bankrupt the NZ government. After all, money was the reason the air force was disbanded in the first place. Their was a degree of logic in the decision, the only way to get hostile aircraft near enough to NZ to pose a threat to them would be by aircraft carrier, and at the time no potentially hostile nation had one.