A United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at the annual sea-ice runway near McMurdo Station. The United States Air Forces transports cargo and personnel between Christchurch, New Zealand, and McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The sea ice needs to be at least two meters thick to support the weight of a jet. (NSF/USAP photo by TSgt Rich deLucia/McChord AFB.)From Yahoo News/AP:
WASHINGTON – Foreign governments looking to kick the tires of fighter jets and cargo planes at this week's air show in Paris will likely hear a clear message from U.S. defense contractors: We need your business now more than ever.
With the United States looking to cut defense costs and rethinking the way it fights wars, many defense companies are looking for international buyers to take the big, pricey weapons that the Pentagon no longer wants or needs fewer of. U.S. contractors are chasing some lucrative deals, but could also face some legal and political hurdles as they hawk weapons overseas.
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My Comment: The focus is on the Middle East, but defense contractors are also looking at Asia. With North Korea's missile launch, the South Koreans and Japanese are looking to upgrade their defensive postures. Japan's interest in purchasing the F-22 (if the U.S. permits it), will be a major sale in itself.