US Air Force again unable to retire 32 old F-22 Raptor fighters to save billions of dollars

While some F-22 Raptors have been redeployed to the Middle East to subdue Russian jets, the US Air Force is trying to get permission to scrap the old fighters. But the authorities are once again opposed.

Here's What We Know

Lawmakers from the House Armed Services Committee have once again blocked the US Air Force's request to decommission old fifth-generation fighter jets. The service wanted to get rid of 32 F-22 Raptor Block 20 aircraft in fiscal 2024 (FY).

Decommissioning the fighters would save $400 million annually until FY2027 and about another $200 million in FY2028. The US Air Force wanted to divert these funds to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet, which will appear in the middle of the next decade as a replacement for the Raptor.

Committee members oppose decommissioning Block 20-level aircraft because they believe they may be combat-ready depending on the threat. In addition, older F-22s could be used for exercises without increasing the level of wear and tear on the newer and "most advanced" Block 30/25 fighters.

Source: Breaking Defense