As of now Belgium is apparently not a likely prospect for the Rafale when we consider their developing ties with the Netherlands forces – which remain committed to the F-35 as far as I know.

Much more likely (in relative terms of course) than most of the aforementioned countries, though!

yet they’re pitching Rafale to Canada, a Partner in the F-35 Programme, a country with strong ties with the US, a country that will 100% go for the F-35 regardless of the views towards it.

I don’t know. The general momentum in current Canadian weapons procurement strategy seems to favour EU gear: British submarines, German Leopards…

Interestingly, Trappier (Dassault’s CEO) seems rather confident in pushing for a Canadian sale despite being completely aware that when a country is committed to the F-35 it generally sticks to it whatever how things evolves. His answers to the AIN journalist’s questions between 1:10 and 6:30 are rather interesting: http://tv.dassault-aviation.com/2013-annual-results-questions-answers-1056-en.html

To say “5th Generation” is a “big leap in fighter evolution” is rather vague to say the least. The “4th, 4.5th, 5th Generation” thing is just a marketing gimmick, the definition of it is as mixed up as Jeremy Clarkson’s Tool Box of Hammers.

You’ll rot in hell for not believing, you miserable sinner!

What if Y-20 never posted this thread 🙂

I admit I lol’d.

I’m always amazed at Scooter’s argumentation skills…

Leave the poor man alone. He was probably trying to come in the US and got turned away.

When someone is sooo anti something it usually means the opposite.

Right.
Just like when someone is sooo anti-communist it probably means that communism is the best political system.
Or like when someone is sooo anti-terrorist it probably means that terrorism is a respectable way of asserting your convictions.
Or like when someone is sooo claiming to be an adult it probably means he is a child – tell no more you have just convinced me with this one!

Rii makes a point. Counterarguments are the best way to… counter his arguments, I guess.

Many regard the destruction of the French fleet at Mers el Kebir as a national tragedy, and still harbour (not meant as a joke) resentment for it. There also seems to be a general feeling that the Americans liberated them, while British and Commonwealth troops were a sideshow.

This is from my own experience.

It is rather amusing that a few hours after reading this thread for the first time I find a documentary film about the 6th Airborne Division broadcasted on France 5 TV channel. A French film BTW, with very interesting testimonies and archives. It on air right now and it’s called 6 juin 1944, ils étaient les premiers (6 June 1944, they were the first ones).

From my own experience my fellow citizens are more Anglophile than Americanophile. We often mock the English (you guys have your share of arrogant people too!) but most of the time it is a reaction to either food or the borderline autistic obsession of some of the English media with France – something I almost never encountered the other way around. Something that cannot be said of the US.

Heck, you’ll even find union jacks everywhere in Paris!

I would buy tons of Rafales, so as UK would have to buy tons more of Typhoons :eagerness:

Yes and if the Typhoons club the Rafales like baby seals we could always claim that your PM gently asked for the de-activation codes of the weapons. :dev2:

Given the recent record of French weapons in the Argentinian forces, I seriously doubt that the Argies will buy anything from Dassault or MBDA within the next couple of centuries.