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There is very little capability difference to decisively separate the Rafale and the Eurofighter. The EF is more oriented to the air to air role with a larger nose, higher engine thrust and an airframe which was designed around ensuring maximum carriage of air to air missiles (4 BVR weapons at all times).

But the Rafale is not necessarily inferior-it’s smaller (and some say more stealthy) and its close-coupled canards would help in a low-altitude dogfight. And in the days of datalinks and AEW, the RBE-2’s range to utilise the Meteor or the Mica is not leagues behind the Typhoon. And assuming it get’s an engine upgrade, it’s high speed/high altitude performance would also improve.

But that’s beyond the point; both fighters could only do so much against a genuinely stealthy fighter (and we don’t know if the J-20 will turn into that) since their basic configuration is essentially the same. As Spetznaz said a while back-they are twins.

RBE-2’s range is nothing like the Euroradar CAPTOR. In fact (I have heard and I am not sure if it is correct) the RBE-2’s range is even less then the Pakistani F-16’s AGP-68 not to mention AGP-80. Also the Rafale does not supercruise like the Eurofighter. Eurofighter’s service ceiling is at 65,000 ft, nearly 10,000 ft more then Rafale. These two factors will make it difficult for Rafale to escape enemy fighters or surface to air missiles.

Against most modern fighters Eurofighters would totally dominate the air warfare. Rafale is a damn good plane no doubt, but it wouldn't be dominating the airspace. Rafale would have a tough time against the latest block of UAE F-16E/Fs (with AGP-80) or even Chinese Sukhois. Rafale is a VERY EXPENSIVE plane that does not give any massive advantage to justify its enormously exorbitant cost.

RBE-2’s range is nothing like the Euroradar CAPTOR. In fact (I have heard and I am not sure if it is correct) the RBE-2’s range is even less then the Pakistani F-16’s AGP-68 not to mention AGP-80. Also the Rafale does not supercruise like the Eurofighter. Eurofighter’s service ceiling is at 65,000 ft, nearly 10,000 ft more then Rafale. These two factors will make it difficult for Rafale to escape enemy fighters or surface to air missiles.

Against most modern fighters Eurofighters would totally dominate the air warfare. Rafale is a damn good plane no doubt, but it wouldn't be dominating the airspace. Rafale would have a tough time against the latest block of UAE F-16E/Fs (with AGP-80) or even Chinese Sukhois. Rafale is a VERY EXPENSIVE plane that does not give any massive advantage to justify its enormously exorbitant cost.

And if low altitude low speed dog fighter is what India was looking for, a Mig 29/35 (or maybe even LCA Tejas) would have very easily done the job instead of an out of the world expensive Rafale.

Also I think Rafale should have given India the option of replacing the Mirages like they are probably doing for Qatar and UAE, instead of charging India enormous amount of money for the Mirage upgrade. Considering the fact that they got the Scorpene deal, Tejas MKII engine deal and also the MMRCA deal, they should have been flexible on the pricing or should have offered to replace the Mirages altogether. Personally I am not very happy with this French deal.

I had a feeling Sarkozy would Carla Brunie to clinch this deal. Otherwise I don't see any merit to this deal.