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Gates vows real fight over FY'10 defense budget

Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:36pm EDT

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WASHINGTON, July 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned on Thursday that Congress faces a "real" veto threat over defense spending if lawmakers try to force more F-22 fighters onto President Barack Obama's reform effort.

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During a visit to Obama's hometown of Chicago, Gates vowed to put up a fight against members of Congress opposed to new Pentagon budget priorities that seek to scale back or eliminate big-ticket programs including the F-22.

Gates suggested that funding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, seen as the future of U.S. air power, could be in jeopardy if funds are drained away by members of Congress intent on protecting lower priority programs.

Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) is the primary contractor for both the F-35 and the F-22. (Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by John O'Callaghan)

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