Kovy, Tmor, not a word about the strange article for an another “close to be signed” sale of 20 Rafale in UAE ?

As for the Typhoon it would not provide the level of Air Superiority over Flanker Types that the RAAF would require! Regardless, it is not as capable in the BVR Arena as the F-35. So, what would be the point???

Not only the EF2000 is much cheaper but why do you think that it doesn’t met the F-35 capabilities ?

Please elucidate. I’m curious as to how a 54,000 lb MTOW airplane with a slightly smaller wing area (492 sq ft) and less power can carry more weight than a 66,000 lb airplane with a 500 sq ft wing area and more power. I’m not trying to be sarcastic or anything, maybe the SH EW is so much heavier or maybe the airframe is so much more draggy, or maybe you are quoting figs for a smaller range for Rafale? In general I am accustomed to a larger airplane being able to carry more over the same range.

How ? I don’t know.
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/fighter/f18ef/
7,750 lb (8,050 kg)

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/fighter/rafale/
17,635 lb (8,000 kg)

http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air/au_service_de_la_defense/aeronefs/chasse_bombardement_reconnaissance/rafale
Charges externes : supérieur à 8 tonnes

http://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/defense/rafale/advanced-weapons.html?L=1
Over 9 tons

The main difference is the empty weight, less than 10 tons.

“If you are serious about continuing to do defense business in India,” said one French industry representative, “then this deal makes no sense. The MICA missiles are the same as on the Dassault Mirage 2000 aircraft that have previously been sold to India, and the RC400 radar is the same as the RDY-3 model design that Dassault have proposed to install in the Indian Mirages as part of an upgrade program. DGA are essentially selling the Pakistanis–at a time of heightened instability in that country–the same radar and missile technology that has already been sold to India. This will compromise a good portion of the IAF’s fighter force.”

Since that paragraph, supposed to be taken from a reliable source is totally wrong, I fear the worst about the article.
– No MICA on Indian mirages …. until now, we don’t know for the future.
– The radar proposed to India is the RDY2, a high end version of the RDY, while the RDY3 is a low end.

For vikasrehman:
No future deal between France and Taiwan in the near future:
– too much bribes and death for Taiwanese taste during the frigates deal.
– Pressures from China to prevent France to sell any new military product.

What his a “export-grade F-22”? When did the US Congress lift the ban on RAPTOR exports? Why would Australia replace a long range “bomb truck” with an Air Defence Fighter almost useless in the attack role?
And why the “true needs” of Australia are a “stealth supercruiser AMRAAM shooter”? To defend from what, or from whom? That massive Indonesian “Flanker” Fleet? The entire FOUR SU7/SU30´s?!!!
GEEEEEEEEE, talking about throwing money out of the windows!

At least, some wise words on that topic.
The only replacement I can see would the SU-34.

For example give Boeing 2/3 of the contract to be built in the US and Airbus 1/3 to be built in Europe!

Bad idea.
EADS is ready to set up a brand new assembly line in USA (Mobile IIRC) that would be the single plant for the KC-330 should it won the mega deal

1/3 of the deal would turn into a 100% made in Toulouse KC-330.

Page 7
“MMRCA is a ky program for the USAF”

WTF ? :confused:

BTW, just a little mistake Page 3

“More air-to-air victories (72-0)” :dev2: