Posted on 09/21/2007 5:27:52 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Dassault Aviation to lose Rafale order in Morocco to Lockheed Martin - report
September 21, 2007: 02:39 AM EST
PARIS, Sep. 21, 2007 (Thomson Financial delivered by Newstex) -- Morocco is likely to order US-made F-16 fighter planes instead of Rafales made by France's Dassault Aviation, La Tribune reported, citing 'several' agreeing sources.
The US is said to have offered 36 F-16s made by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Corp for less than 2 bln usd while France was proposing 18 Rafales for 2.3 bln eur, the business daily said.
In response to the US offer, the French authorities amended their proposal to 12 Rafales and 12 Mirages or 24 Rafales for 2 bln eur, but sources are not hopeful that France will get the order, according to the report.
Until recently, the French side was hopeful that the first Rafale export contract could be signed during a visit by President Nicolas Sarkozy to Morocco scheduled for next month, the newspaper added.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
The F-16 is still a formidable multirole fighter for a small nation like Morocco.
But we won’t deliver the F-16s ordered by Taiwan.
Might be the Block 60,though the Block 50/52 would be enough for them.They are probably worried about Algeria’s purchase of SU-30s & new Mig-29s.
The Rafale is a better fighter, but considering the cost/numbers value equation, plus the fact that a nation like morocco really doesn’t require top-line fighters like the Rafale, the F-16 then becomes the best solution for them. Good choice for Morocco, although I am starting to feel sorry for france. The Rafale is simply too good for most nations (why spend 600K+ for a Ferrari Enzo when a 70K BMW 5-series will give you ALMOST the same thrill), and for the rest they already have some pretty formidable planes as well (e.g. Germany and the UK already have the Typhoon, Japan is lobbying for the F22 and WHEN they do NOT get it they will either go for the Typhoon or an upgraded F-15, the US has the Raptor, and the rest of the nations requiring ‘top-line’ fighters can chose between the JSF, advanced F-15s, next-gen Sukhois, and even wildcards like the Gripen NG). Sad that a really good fighter like the Rafale is getting squeezed from both ends.
IF you are to choose between the Rafale & the Eurofighter,it will be a purely political decision.The Rafale outdid the Eurofighter in both the Singapore & South Korean ‘F-X’ competitions only to be beaten at the last lap by the F-15.
The Eurofighter is a better as an air superiority jet,while the Rafale carries a bigger strike payload & has a lower frontal radar cross section.Frankly,if you want an aircraft that won’t be squeezed by sanctions,then go Rafale!!
The F-16 is one of the all-time greats.
Ha ha ha ha ha! I got that one.
And the F-16 continues it’s 25+ year run as the most successful export fighter program in history.
It’s a better plane and a real bargain with a low dollar.
which one?
Well, although I may be wrong but I think that because of Euro currency that spoilt the deal. Generally speaking the U.S. dollar is lower than both Pound and Euro. And Morocco is not a country who really got tons of resources like their Arab counterparts.
Rafale is a fighter which possess lethal weapon delivery system and with advance hunter-killer avionic systems. Especially their E-Scan radar which can scan 40 targets while engaging around 8 target simutaniously.
Bingo! At 1.4 $/euro, Dassault was at a severe disadvantage.
Ugh! What’s all that ugly conformal backpack crap on the side and dorsal fuselage?
You buy our planes or we'll send home 250,000 of your people. Tomorrow night.
The backpack crap along the upper wing roots are conformal fuel tanks that increase range without the increased drag and loss of weapons capability that using drop tanks would incur.
The dorsal blister houses addional avionics.
Well, during the mid-90’s my country Malaysia almost select the F-16 as the new fighter for the air force, only later they choose the MiG-29.
Err, what do you mean?
Certainement, la belle France deserves some special price consideeration for hosting, feeding, housing,and tolerating the disaffected Morroccan Renault-toasting utes who make life in the “suburbs” so interesting. Yes?
I guess the weaker dollar is having some manufacturing benefits.
“Morocco to order US-made F-16 “
This headline “likely” wouldn’t get past the editors.
Err, translation please.
Mais non, mon ami. Ne c'est pas la traduction trahison?
It simp[ly seemed to me that the Moroccans ought to buy the French planes if for no other reason than that la France supports so many millions of Moroccans.
Mais non, mon ami. Ne c'est pas la traduction trahison?
It simply seemed to me that the Moroccans ought to buy the French planes if for no other reason than that la France supports so many millions of Moroccans.
Military purchase between nations involves lots of agreements and clauses. It’s not something that we can understand that easily.
Maybe, I mean maybe because of geographical location (which Morocco located just south of France) they opt for Rafale.
It’s not a bad choice at all. Since I interested in aircraft and militaria matters I always impressed with French-built fighters. Well, may not as glamourous as the American counterpart but their aircrafts is good enough to combat any adversary.
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