John Murtha (D-Pa.) Wednesday said the idea of letting Japan buy the F-22 is attractive, because “if you want to prevent [a war], you have to have the equipment in place so that somebody doesn’t miscalculate.” The chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee said China is a certain future competitor with the US for energy and other raw materials, and in that region, “there should be somebody else besides us” with F-22s. However, Murtha thinks it will be very expensive to render the F-22 suitable for export by reducing some of its capabilities, and the bill may be too high for Japan. An amendment bearing the name of David Obey (D-Wisc.) bans the foreign sale of the F-22, but Murtha told reporters that he and Obey will meet to discuss it. “He’s willing to listen,” Murtha said. If there is a production gap before more can be built for Japan, “one thing for sure, you’re going to lose all the skills you have if you go three years without building an F-22.” Such a slip, and the consequent need to reopen the line, may make the cost prohibitive. “If we don’t continue [the F-22], I don’t see any way the Japanese could come up with enough money that they could buy it.”
Iran War Highlights the Value of Unmanned Aircraft
April 20, 2026
Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.orgCombat video from MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) striking targets in Iran may have surprised those who thought the iconic unmanned aircraft were destined...