> The "[Country] clone of [technology]" only really works if said technology is cloned by or for the state.

This is your claim, which doesn't seem to apply when the results, IE actual usages of the term, do not have to do anything with state effort or funding.

Of course they searched for that term. Usually you search for things you are looking for, unless I'm missing something.

I don't expect to google "kittens" to be able to learn how "American clone of" is generally used. Do you?