Australia mulls F-22 purchase in airpower re-think

By Rob Taylor

CANBERRA, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Australia may ask the United States to allow it to buy advanced stealth fighter aircraft in a re-think of airpower needs, as its Asian neighbours upgrade their air forces, the country's military commander said on Wednesday.

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston told lawmakers in the upper house Senate that the government is considering buying F-22 Raptors, a $140 million fighter manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) but not yet cleared for overseas sale.

Australia's new Labor government has ordered a review of airpower requirements by May, amid media speculation it is preparing to dump a A$6 billion ($5.5 bln) purchase of 24 Super Hornet fighters from Boeing (BA.N).

The Hornets, purchased by the previous conservative government, were planned as a stop-gap ahead of the delivery next decade of 100 F-35 multi-role strike aircraft, also made by Lockheed Martin.

Houston said the government may now prefer a mixed force of F-35s and the F-22 Raptors.

"It comes back to the question of whether you go for one multi-role platform to satisfy all your needs, or whether you go for a mix. If we bought some F-22s, we'd probably end up with some F-35s," Houston told a defence hearing in the parliament.

"I guess that's what the new government wants us to have a look at. I think nobody is suggesting F-22 or F-35."

The Super Hornet purchase has sparked a furore in Australia, with the government arguing their purchase was unnecessary and they would be outgunned in combat by advanced Russian aircraft used by neighbours like Malaysia and Indonesia.

Defence planners told senators that cancelling the contract in May would likely cost around A$600 million, as production of the aircraft by Boeing had already begun.

Australia, a close U.S. ally, is participating in development of the F-35, but has yet to sign a firm contract amid a broad military upgrade costing almost A$60 billion and including aircraft carriers, fighters, attack helicopters and missile destroyers.

Japan is also interested in purchasing the F-22, which is highly classified and would require an amendment in the U.S. Congress for export approval. ($1=A$1.09) (Editing by Valerie Lee)