- 17 Sep 2005
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Quoted from english.chosun.com
Japan Pushing for Controversial Fighter Jet Deal
A U.S. newspaper has reported that Japan is seeking to purchase 100 F-22 stealth fighter jets from the U.S., putting South Korea and China on alert.
The Washington Times newspaper said on April 20 that Japan expressed a desire to buy 100 F-22 fighter jets worth US$30 billion and the matter will be on the agenda at a summit between U.S. President George W. Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe slated for next week.
The U.S. newspaper said that some U.S. conservatives support Japan's bid, saying Japan needs the fighter jets to counter North Korea's missile threat and China's intimidation against Taiwan.
The F-22 is considered the most advanced stealth fighter aircraft in service and can perform intelligence and reconnaissance missions. With an operational radius of more than 2,000 kilometers, it could even target mainland China beyond the Korean peninsula from Japan. That's got both South Korea and China worried about the possible deal.
South Korean military authorities believe that if Japan buys the jets it would create a serious air power imbalance between South Korea, China and Japan. That could prompt Seoul to revise its air power buildup plan.
Beijing is also alarmed by the possible deal. Quoting the Hong Kong daily Wenweipo, China's semi state-run news outlet China News Service reported Sunday that the purchase would break the 20-year military balance in the Taiwan Strait between mainland China and Taiwan.
Some observers predict it will be a while before Japan acquires the F-22 because the U.S. is reluctant to export the aircraft which was deployed on active duty just two years ago. And a U.S. ban on the overseas sale of the jet that was imposed in 1998 has not been lifted.
A South Korean defense expert predicted that Japan will be able to purchase the F-22 jets after 2015. The expert said that South Korea urgently needs to rewrite its plan to beef up its Air Force by 2020 since the plan was drawn up without taking the possible F-22 deal into account.
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Copyright (c) 2007 The Chosun Ilbo & Digital Chosun Ilbo All rights reserved.
Japan Pushing for Controversial Fighter Jet Deal
A U.S. newspaper has reported that Japan is seeking to purchase 100 F-22 stealth fighter jets from the U.S., putting South Korea and China on alert.
The Washington Times newspaper said on April 20 that Japan expressed a desire to buy 100 F-22 fighter jets worth US$30 billion and the matter will be on the agenda at a summit between U.S. President George W. Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe slated for next week.
The U.S. newspaper said that some U.S. conservatives support Japan's bid, saying Japan needs the fighter jets to counter North Korea's missile threat and China's intimidation against Taiwan.
The F-22 is considered the most advanced stealth fighter aircraft in service and can perform intelligence and reconnaissance missions. With an operational radius of more than 2,000 kilometers, it could even target mainland China beyond the Korean peninsula from Japan. That's got both South Korea and China worried about the possible deal.
South Korean military authorities believe that if Japan buys the jets it would create a serious air power imbalance between South Korea, China and Japan. That could prompt Seoul to revise its air power buildup plan.
Beijing is also alarmed by the possible deal. Quoting the Hong Kong daily Wenweipo, China's semi state-run news outlet China News Service reported Sunday that the purchase would break the 20-year military balance in the Taiwan Strait between mainland China and Taiwan.
Some observers predict it will be a while before Japan acquires the F-22 because the U.S. is reluctant to export the aircraft which was deployed on active duty just two years ago. And a U.S. ban on the overseas sale of the jet that was imposed in 1998 has not been lifted.
A South Korean defense expert predicted that Japan will be able to purchase the F-22 jets after 2015. The expert said that South Korea urgently needs to rewrite its plan to beef up its Air Force by 2020 since the plan was drawn up without taking the possible F-22 deal into account.
([email protected] )
Copyright (c) 2007 The Chosun Ilbo & Digital Chosun Ilbo All rights reserved.