Japan sets its heart on F-22s, despite proposed end to production

The Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) has refused to abandon hope of acquiring the F-22 Raptor, despite the Pentagon's announcement earlier this year that the fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme will be scrapped.

An MoD spokeswoman told Jane's on 9 June that its position on the F-22 had not changed since the announcement on 6 April by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates that production of the F-22 would stop at 187 units.

She added that Japan was continuing to lobby Washington in a bid to acquire information about the aircraft as it seeks to purchase a replacement platform for its ageing fleet of Mitsubishi/McDonnell Douglas F-4EJ fighters.

"The MoD recognises that it is desirable to collect detailed information on fifth-generation fighters - including the F-22 - in order to appropriately review requirements for performance and others for an F-4 successor," said the spokeswoman.