Well then why not make it a joint venture with the U.S.? Perhaps it could complement the F-22s or replace some of the F-35s that are having so many issues?
The program has just completed over 15000 hours flight testing .
To put that into perspective most air forces of the world do not fly their entire fleet of fighter that much in a year or more
It boils down to $$$. Lockheed-Martin is looking at multi billion dollar contracts, and the scum in DC are looking at kickbacks from Lockheed Martin and cushy jobs doing nothing at high pay (which incidentally is recycled back in program costs to the taxpayers) if they retire or get voted out.
The F-35 is moving into serial production and will be in squadron service by 2016. Not saying it’s a perfect aircraft. It’s not. But enough of the development problems are behind it that the design can be produced.
This article seems to be confusing the F-22 Raptor with the F-35 Lightning II. Two very different beasts.
Japan wanted the F-22 really really bad.
Agreeing with another comment, 20,000lbs thrust from two engines combined seems kind of wimpy, doubt they can make it supercruise.