Syria's air defenses key in pushing F‑22 production
Although the F-22 Raptor was developed and test-flown in the 20th century, it remains one of the most advanced combat aircraft in the world. The program for building this aircraft was initially at risk; however, the decision to produce the Raptor was influenced in part by Syria's expansion of its air defense system, according to the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force.
Syria played a crucial role in the introduction and production of the F-22 Raptor aircraft, stated U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. During a discussion organized by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, Kendall, who has held various defense-related positions since the 1980s and was involved in creating the requirements for the Raptor, shared insights about the aircraft’s acceptance into service.
This decision came at a time when a large-scale conflict with a technologically advanced adversary, for which the F-22 was designed, seemed increasingly unlikely. The aircraft was developed as part of the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, outperforming the competing YF-23 design by Northrop to win the contract.
Cuts in U.S. defense spending after the Soviet Union's collapse also raised questions about the future of the Raptor.
The F-22 Raptor was developed thanks to Syrian air defense
According to Frank Kendall, the key factor that led to the start of serial production of the F-22 was Syria, which at that time had one of the most advanced anti-aircraft systems in the world.
Syria's defense system components included not only numerous individual MANPADS, such as the Strela launchers, but also short, medium, and long-range systems of Soviet origin.
The strength of the Syrian defense, as assessed by the Pentagon, was significant enough to prompt the deployment of a very expensive aircraft, leading to the production being eventually limited to just 187 units.
More than 20 years later, in 2014, the F-22 Raptor made its combat debut in Syria, as these aircraft were used by the United States for airstrikes against Daesh positions.
