what if more Rafale's were exported

[Spey_Phantom]

OK, up to now France has failed so sell any rafale's abroad. although chances still exsist that Saudi Arabia, Morroco and Libya would buy it, what if more customers would buy this fighter.

Belgium
looking forward to replacing its fleet of obsolete F-16A's in 2015, the Belgian Defence ordered 48 Rafale's (40 C's and 8 B's), these were delivered in 2014 and in 2018, an follow on order was placed for an additional 12 aircraft (12 B special attack versions)

profile:

[Hobbes]

Very nice!
Interesting profile, too. The two-seater looks rather different (I've only seen the single-seater so far).

How about a few more versions?
- NATO markings, for the new joint European carrier force
- RN, for the CVF carriers
- Dutch
- USN (when the F-35 program collapses)

I enjoyed building Revell's excellent 1:144 Rafale kit, btw.  

[Aircav]

I've got plans for a single-seat Jordanian Rafale    

[Spey_Phantom]

here's another country, if they would have there own air force, they would operate 4 of these  B)

Luxemburg

after getting defence autonomy by the EU, Luxemburg started to create there own air force, witch in 2008 became known as "Corps Aerienne Luxembourg" (Luxemburg Air Corps). first fighter equipment arived in 2010 in the form of 4 Rafale-B 2-seat fighterjets. who were stationed at Luxemburg International.

profile:

[Archibald]

here's another country, if they would have there own air force, they would operate 4 of these  B)

Luxemburg

after getting defence autonomy by the EU, Luxemburg started to create there own air force, witch in 2008 became known as "Corps Aerienne Luxembourg" (Luxemburg Air Corps). first fighter equipment arived in 2010 in the form of 4 Rafale-B 2-seat fighterjets. who were stationed at Luxemburg International.

profile:

Nice profiles! Aparently the building of the Luxembourg Air Force has already started: they have bought a lone A400M!  

[anthonyp]

Nice profiles! Aparently the building of the Luxembourg Air Force has already started: they have bought a lone A400M!

So THEY'RE the ones who bought it    

[Archibald]

...with 7 others countries, Anthony.
180 are planned...  

[anthonyp]

Yeah, I know (remember where I work), just poking fun that it hasn't even flown yet, won't fly for a while, and some of the launch customers are making noise about dumping it for C-130's.

[Archibald]

Yep sometimes I have some difficulties with english I admit (not my native language   ). No problem... Is the A400M the European counterpart of the JSF (same problem, some countries are threatening to drop off the program to buy the competitor)  

[anthonyp]

Kinda, except where the JSF has already flown and members are making noise about work share and tech transfers (which are fair concerns), while the A400M still has yet to fly and members are getting jumpy.

BTW, I actually have a couple Rafales to contribute to this thread:

Chinese Rafale M


Canadian Air Force CF-190 Cyclone II (Rafale M)


Republic of French Louisiana Rafale B (almost complete)


South Vietnamese Rafale A

[Archibald]

hmmm the Norvegian case seem quite serious. but I agree, the A-400M is now delayed (that's not as serious as the A380, but there's delays).
C-130J had less performances (half the load, shorter range) but it is imediately available (and already in service in denmark If I remember well).

Those rafales are lovely, and very imaginatives! The South vietnamese is cool, and the New France, too!!!  

[anthonyp]

New France, too!!!

Republic of French Louisiana!  

Thanks!  I'm still trying to figure out what to arm the Louisianan Rafale with.  I'm leaning towards sea control with an ECM pod, an anti-shipping missile, and some air-to-air missiles.  Maybe I'll go wild weasel...

[nev]

Did someone mention export Rafales?  

[GTX]

From what I understand Libya is a definite possibility - maybe in the very near future.

As for others, you could have some of the competitions it lost (or won, but was denied - if you're into that sort of thing):

South Korea,
Singapore.

Other possabilities:

Taiwan,
Brazil,
UK, Spain, Germany (if the Eurofighter history had gone a different way);
Austria (same deal)
South Africa,
Greece,


Regards,

Greg

[Archibald]

You forget your own country GTX (Australia   ?)! It's time to replace that's good old F-18A...  ^_^ (albeit the Rafale lack range to replace the F-111s )