Can A Civilian Legally Own An F-22 Fighter Jet?

Is it possible for a civilian to own an F-22? Unfortunately, the answer is a definite no. The F-22 Raptor, a cutting-edge US fighter jet, remains in active production and is strictly off-limits for export to any foreign nation or individual civilians. While it is theoretically possible to acquire an older fighter jet, it’s important to note that the United States typically decommissions and destroys its retired fighter jets. Therefore, acquiring an old US fighter jet is an improbable endeavor. Alternatively, one might explore the possibility of obtaining a vintage fighter jet like the MiG-21, which originates from Russia and could offer more feasible ownership prospects, though still subject to various regulations and restrictions.

Is it possible for individuals or countries to purchase an F-22 Raptor? The short answer is no. The F-22 Raptor, a cutting-edge stealth fighter aircraft, is not available for sale to foreign nations or individuals. This restriction has been in place for several years, with countries like Israel, Japan, and Australia expressing interest in acquiring the F-22 Raptor in the past. However, their requests have consistently been denied by the Pentagon. In fact, in 1998, the U.S. Congress passed an amendment explicitly prohibiting the sale of F-22 Raptors to foreign nations. This legislative action solidified the exclusivity of the F-22 Raptor as a military asset reserved solely for use by the United States.