I think you’ve missed the point by quite a bit there. Yes, those claims might sound rather suspect, but I think the point taken into account is being looked at the wrong way. Eurofighter GmbH aren’t claiming the Typhoon flew more sorties, dropped for weapons, notched up more hours etc or even claiming the Typhoon out-did the Rafale and to be a little fair to Eurofighter GmbH, most of these so-called “claims” seem to be questions than the previous, (question marks a bit of a give-away.)
The Tornado GR4 was there because it can operate with Storm Shadow, Brimstone, the Paveway II, III and IV series & the Raptor Recce pod, the Typhoon just with Paveway II, so obviously the Tornado GR4 was needed in the RAF’s case. Neverless the Typhoon and it’s systems provided SA not only for itself, but for it’s fellow Tornado, too. The Typhoon’s DASS was used to cue other sensors for itself and for the Tornado (or both) and on at least one occasion, the Typhoon’s electronic warfare system/radar warning receiver information was used to strike certain targets on the ground. So the Typhoon & Tornado complimented each other more than previously thought.
I think what they’re just saying is (with a bit of marketing hype thrown in), if the Rafale is so swing-role, “omni-role” whatever you want to call it, why did they need two different types of Mirages and Super Entendards to perform some of it’s missions when the Rafale is supposed to be capable of doing so anyway? Was it the lack of Rafale numbers or something else? Why were the other types needed?
I reckon thats what they’re asking.
So, I think some are taking this too literally & jumping to conclusions too soon.
By reading into it and recieving some insight from elsewhere, I suspect the Rafale’s role isn’t as positive as many claimed it to be. However, thats not to say it didn’t perform brilliantly, which it did as did others such as the F/A-18, Tornado GR4, Typhoon etc.
Well what is the point of keeping all these jets if you are not using them. I also suspect that operational costs of them will be lower than the Rafale since they are single engined.
The point is Rafale was there from Day 1, dropped more ordinances (in number and type) than possibly any other fighter, I think that in itself shows its Omni role capabilities. Although Libya is hardly the place to show A2A prowess.
In a way I think the Libya campaign suite the Rafale more than the Typhoon, the latter’s emphasis on A2A is not of much use when there is nothing to shoot at.
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