And Qatar has had significant differences in foreign policy vs. Saudis and UAE and Kuwait, and vice versa. Including in backing different forces in the region.
Yes but then so does NATO – look at German response to Libyan operation including pulling out of AWACS crews.
Coalition operations is no impediment to them each operating EF and Rafale, those have successfulfully participated in coalition ops (UK/FR:Libya),
and basing/spares could be shared with UK/FR as needed: not really a differentiator in the utility of either platform.
Independent acts of open war outside of US/EU alliance is unlikely for regimes for whom maintaining alliances with foreign colonial powers is central to their self preservation (vs. own populace).
I think they’re looking more at Arab coalitions without dwindling NATO/USA help (e.g. look at NATO response to Syria).
There’s other items showing some sort of interest in being able to deploy externally – acquisition of C-17s, UAE is apparently setting up batalion of Western troops for foreign intervention etc.
Greater loiter and strike capability including passive countermeasures vs. ground radars …OR… greater A2A capability vs. what high-end threat air force…?
And that’s why the Omanis and Saudis brought Eurofighters? :eagerness: There’s a lot more that goes into Gulf Arab defence procurement than mere defence requirements – corruption, prestige and garnering political favour rank much higher.
Is this an argument for why anybody would pay attention to what GCC Sheikdoms are procuring? 🙂
To be honest, no. And one of the main reasons is that anyone else who can afford such equipment also usually has access to F-35.
I mean, flat out, these are countries that have not put forth any objective criteria for a prospective jet sale, financial or performance wise.
I believe so, all though none of the other gulf countries would be, and this isn’t really a fundamental distinction between EF and Rafale.
Never said they did put forward objective criteria. In fact I suspect a lot of subjective criteria such as prestige and corruption come into it.
These sheikdoms are hardly ones to act outside of narrow self interest, so following UAE’s lead just to develop UAE’s economy is hardly something to count on.
Supporting a Muslim over a Westerner is good for narrow self interest and especially in terms of propaganda.
So… greater strike capability including passive countermeasures vs. ground radars vs. greater A2A capability with Iran airforce not remotely up to modern standards…?
And the Saudis and Omanis brought Eurofighter.
I will say that Brazil seems unlikely to manifest Rafale sales at this point, although what they will likely manifest is Mirage 2000 sales, which is something that UAE and Qatar would want to manifest if they inducted new planes to replace their Mirages, and Eurofighter can really do nothing to help on that account, effectively making the deal that much more expensive for Eurofighter.
I agree.
I think that both the Eurofighter and Rafale are screwed. Western rich buy F-35, whilst rich US aligned Asians buy US aircraft. Russia has its market for both second hand and new build jets.
The poorer countries are usually happy with second hand F-16s or MiG-29s.
That means that the Middle East Gulf States are the main source of market potential for any future orders for Rafale and Eurofighter.
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