I am not sure about the 2000L drop tanks for the Typhoon. Never saw them and never heard anything concrete about their development and the feasibility and if it is seriously planned. I have doubts about it.

And even if true it will not solve the Stormshadow+1000L issue or the 6LGB issue. Typhoon hard point layout is not very flexible in AtG config.

The CFT is an option (for the rafale as well) but I am not certain that this is being offered in India or that some partner nations are really serious about dveloping it. I heard that was a possible tranche 3 option but as I undersand with the limited budget available for upgrades the effort is going for the AESA and meteor rather than CFTs.

My guess/speculation about this leakage is that it might not be completely accurate but some if not most of the points are valid. As usual if one detail is not correct it will be an excuse to dismiss 100% of the content.

In Brazil probably, in India unlikely…

The issue in India is offset now that the tech eval has been done (assuming that the latest report is true which still has to be seen) BAE+EADS and 4 european countries will be very hard to beat for Dassault/France.

1) Pepe Rezende on this forum (rafale for Brazil thread) after he read the FAB evaluation.

2) Brazilian article after the first leaks of the eval (rafale for brazil thread.)

3) IAF eval Television leak just a few posts above.

I don’t know the detail of gripen AESA issues but it could be linked to a smaller electricity supply for instance. Just an idea.

Other similarity with Pepe rezende posts on Key is about the mig35. He said after meeting top IAF officers, that the mig 35 and the SH failed at Lehe Trials for engine issues when other succeeded.

…and as mentioned on pprune, has to fly around with a legacy M2000 to designate its LGBs. Mmm, not as multirole as the French make out.

Self laser designation is ready for rafale next Astan deployement in september (air force) and december (navy) with the F3.2 standard.

Now that’s clear that as the Brazilian choice will be purlely political and on financial basis any aircraft that is rated first is in a fragile position.

It all depends on the subjective perception of what has to be the best valued as a criteria. So a next government might weight more another criteria and change the winner without calling into question the whole evaluation.

I know understand why France is already preparing the post electoral period with Dilma Brazilian favourite for the run for presidency.

I don’t think so.

A super Tucano is too slow to be quickly on station and lack the punch and psychological impact of a true figher. If a super Tucano was really adapted after a decade of CAS there already exist a serious request for this type of aircarft to to the job.
Attack helicopters are more efficient in this role and are complementary with fighter jets.

The F15E which is not really a lightweight fighter is doing most of the strike role in Astan. That is a big indication.

The Tornado is an exellent strike platform (I am just speaking of the aircarft, not systems of course) and exept for the first day war situation it will outperform the F35 and especially the B version.

Just like I am really wondering how can the F35 replace the A10.

So while the F35 is clearly ahead on the paper (more modern) I fear that the actual perception by the troop requesting support will not reflect the difference of modernity. In the end the aircarft that can remain above the longer with a the more punch will be prefered

Just to put in perspective the mirage 2000 future : like in The UK there is a defense budget review to fight the deficits.

The mirage 2000D upgrade with RY3 is postponed and will probably never occur.

The A330 MRTT will be postpone as well. Only the rafale programe will be preserved. The idea is to preserve the main programs (rafale, tiger, baracudas) to help the industry and export and cut spending in other areas.