Fed: Aust to see if it can buy F-22

AAP General News (Australia)
02-23-2008
Fed: Aust to see if it can buy F-22

By Max Blenkin, Defence Correspondent

CANBERRA, Feb 23 AAP - Australia wants the option to buy the F-22 Raptor jet fighter
barred from foreign sales by the United States, Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon says.

Australia will write to the Congressman whose legislative amendment prevents the advanced
stealth aircraft from sale outside the US to gauge whether he would ever relent.

Mr Fitzgibbon said today he had discussed this issue with visiting US Defence Secretary
Robert Gates who advised on the best approach.

"The secretary was very helpful in …