The reason for that is simple most of the PGMs in Indian Air Force Arsenal are compatible with Mirages and Jaguars. The Rafale would enhance this capability much further as its one of the world’s best aircraft for deep strike in the enemy territory and has great electronic counter measures to operate in high threat environments.

You don’t need a Rafale to strike 80km from your border. This were typically tactical strike profile even in the 1980’s – such the one dedicated to the purpose built Jaguar. Rafale was built to provide deep strike range in the smallest airframe that France could pay for (cold war budget).
As was written before, the fact that they even used their M2K is a surprise. This strike should have been something for their DARIN III jags (AESA SAR picture, low alt high speed ingress, smaller silhouette (AAA) to name the most striking points). Don’t take me wrong, it’s “good” to hear about a wolf pack of 12 M2K going in anger today but still it comes as a total surprise.

You know in 1940 they too had hard belief about elliptical wing, the impossibility to go through the sonic wall or the ineptitude of having women pilots… Take a deep breath man and take one step forward into the future… with all of us yawning that you end-up reaching the point. Because your diatribe is a pain to watch. Scientifically and as an educated individual able to share serenely around different opinions.

Canards expectations are old vented cliche. Sorry dude.

Airbus took years to reach a proper configuration suitable with customers needs. And that was solved on the client side. When Airbus offered the A330 to the USAF, the Boom was not even designed.This was the object of one post years back on the forum. You might want to take the time to dig this out.

And stop this thing with me. It feels as if I have crabs.

It reminds me Taiwanese U-2’s

Strictly my opinion here…

Boeing has been under the gun since they got the contract, which was originally awarded to Airbus. I’ve often wondered what results would be seen had Airbus been the company building the new tanker, and not Boeing.

The sad news is that now when a major airline will make a big order, some will say that it would be a single stone for two strikes: getting good planes and new tools for their empty handed mechanics!

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EDIT:
Interestingly, Boeing just agreed today for a pay raise of its minimal rates at its Seattle plant.

Without calling Germans an alibi, we still have Dassault essentially isolated from the market… (if that doesn’t sound as an anachronism to you…)

There is some cool being a retiree (other drive oldtimers!):

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Sustaining the industrial base by ordering a handful of F-15X at Boeing each year might prove less costly than throwing money at contractors of various level of competencies* for the maintenance of a derelict fleet. Per $ it could prove wiser. Nobody is talking moving an F-35 squadron back to the Eagle. It’s all about sweeping hangar floor and boosting mission rate.

*regarding their need to have cutting edge manufacturing base… or not