Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

French “Rafale “Fighter

reporter/Weidong Xu

According to the U.S. Defense News, 3 May disclosure, the United Arab Emirates and France are jointly developing a more advanced model of the” Rafale “fighter. A Gulf regional defense industry sources, “the two countries are discussing the next generation ‘Rafale’ fighter aircraft, to meet the needs of the UAE.”

not afford to buy advanced fighters

June last year, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the UAE is considering buying on the French “Rafale” fighter. According to sources, about 50 French industry executives to Abu Dhabi in April held talks with each other, which would involve “Rafale” fighter. In order to obtain the favor of the United Arab Emirates, France, Dassault Aviation will be upgraded to “Rafale” fighter of the active scanning radar, optical detection equipment, electronic warfare equipment, and their dress nine tons of heavy M88 engine. Meanwhile, the company also hopes by Dassault “Rafale” fighter aircraft bid for procurement contracts in Brazil and India, and intends to sell Kuwait and Syria. But until now, no country has bought expensive “Rafale” fighter.

Although export performance is zero, but the “gust” is indeed a fully capable, more balanced performance fighter aircraft, both air combat, but also on the attack, but also as a carrier-based aircraft, You can even throw a nuclear bomb. A “gust” F3-type, for example, the aircraft 14 can be mounted hanging points 9 tons load, not only to launch the “flying fish” anti-ship missile, can be mounted stealth cruise missiles equipped with nuclear warheads, and “advanced air to surface missiles “(AASM) and the” meteor “BVR air to air missiles will further expand the” gust “combat.

Currently, the world’s truly part of this “all-powerful general-purpose fighter,” the new aircraft, except the “gust”, only the United States fleet of F/A-18E/F “Super Hornet”, the unit price approximately $ 50 million, and “gust” of the unit price more than $ 60 million.

buy-back “Phantom” support “gust”

to solve the “gust” slow-moving problem, the French intend to use the “TM” mode impress customers. An insider who knows the industry said, has agreed to buy French “Mirage” 2000-9s fighters (UAE this aircraft equipment) for the French Air Force, Air Force, while the French “Mirage” 2000-5s fighters put second-hand aircraft market. Clearly, the French buy back “Phantom” is to impress customers with sincerity, then use the new “Rafale” fighter jets to seize the market, allowing customers to continue using the traditional French equipment.

UAE has always been the rich and powerful prefer the French arms. Back in the 1990s, the United Arab Emirates from France to buy a number of “Leclerc” main battle tank, the tank became the only foreign users. In addition, the United Arab Emirates has also ordered three Airbus A330 multi-fuel/transport aircraft, and is expected to purchase. The proposed joint development of new French “Rafale”, and proposed a “trade” model, there may be a “gust” open market.