They would be foolish to buy the Rafale that’s for sure.

Nic

His final comment is the most telling… No one would claim that the F-22 would have surpassed the capabilities hinted by the YF-23 in all areas ( read-speed/all-aspect stealth shaping). It was a slick design which took area rule principles to the extreme. It is important to note that the emd F-23 would have had many modifications (as the evolution from YF-22 to F-22 required) there is no telling what the finished product would have been capable of, but you are making a blind leap (without justification) to say that an F-23 in the end would have surpassed the finished product that is the F-22.

I feel that the compromises chosen by the YF23 team was more sensible that the one chosen by the YF22 team. And I think the drastic cut in overall numbers purchased would justify even more the fast & more stealthy approach. Maybe doubling up as a stealth striker would allow the USAF to justify more numbers.

IMHO dogfight ability is totally irrelevant to what the ATF should have been.

Nic

The fact remains that the Russians grouped them all together because it suits them to do so. Arguably, some if not most of these groups included share common ideology and similar goals now, but the situation is more complex than that.

No it’s not. Occidental governments are showing complete schizophrenia fighting the same people in Mali or Iraq while at the same time aiding them in Libya or Syria.

This shows a criminal short-sightedness (at best) or outright treason (if you are asking me).

Nic

And you believe the report? I get it though it is a mindset. Sad that you lap it up!

I have stated my doubts on this very forum many a time on the “fact” that the US were actually bombing ISIS, & only ISIS. This article is the first that agrees with my own sentiment that is only backed so far by logics & not by any source whatsoever.

I’m sure the sources will come in due time.

Unlike some posters I don’t wait several years to finally use hindsight as an excuse.

Nic

Love that idea of Su30-MKP

in Syria you have islamist groups mixed all over the place, with allegiancies changing as seen fit, in Ukraine the extremists involved are pretty much exclusively Ukrainian nationalists whose goals are inside Ukraine only.

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrright…

Those incidentes with syrian MiG-29 are not helping to defuse the situation. Perhaps Russia should advise Syrian Air Force to stop harassing turkish fighters.

Provided the fact that they are harassing them is actually true.

Nic

“We have not and will not agree to cooperate with Russia so long as they continue to pursue this misguided strategy,” he said earlier in the week. “It remains our hope that Russia will see that tethering itself to a sinking ship is a losing strategy because Russia has the opportunity to change course and do the right thing. I don’t know if they will.”

Comedy!