Here’s Why The US Air Force Chose The F-35A Over The F-22 For Export Partners

The primary reason that the US steered export partners towards the F-35 Lightning II rather than the F-22 Raptor was never just about which jet was better. The two aircraft fundamentally help build different kinds of airpower. The F-22, which was manufactured by defense prime Lockheed Martin, was conceived as a uniquely American air-dominance fighter, protected by law from being exported and never constructed for sale to foreign operators.