U.S. to investigate if Australia could buy F-22

CANBERRA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said here on Sunday he would investigate if Australia will ever be able to buy the Lockheed F-22 Raptor jetfighters.

Gates said he did not know if the Raptor would require design changes to make it suitable for export.

Currently an Act of U.S. Congress bars any foreign sales of what is believed to be the most advanced combat plane in the world.

Gates, who is in Canberra for the annual Australia-US Ministerial (AUSMIN) talks held on Saturday, told reporters in Canberra that he did not delve into the matter because of the sale ban.

"It is an issue, given the importance that our Australian friends attach to it," he said.

"It is in an issue that I intend to pursue when I get back, first of all in terms of conversations with our own people in the Department of Defense, and also with the Secretary of State, and see what the prospects are and what would be involved if we decided that we needed to go to the congress and get a change in the law."

That would only be an issue for Australia should the current review of future air combat needs concludes the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) needs the Raptor to maintain air superiority.

The F-22 Raptor is U.S. Air Force's most advanced fighter which is specifically barred from sale to any foreign country under a 1998 amendment to a budget bill moved by Wisconsin Democrat Congressman Dave Obey.

Gates also said the Australia-U.S. trade agreement, designed to facilitate sales of sensitive U.S. military equipment to Australia, was now in its final stages before approval.