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..... This rumour was going round a couple of years ago but it has started again around RAF Coningsby and seems to have come from a reliable source....



Apparently the British government is entering into talks with the French government to purchase a number of Rafale fighters to supplement the intake of F35 Lightning II (JSF) fighters due in service in 2012.

Some people are saying that this is a move to create jobs in the UK as the deal will include the French buying a variant of the Eurofighter Typhoon.


Not sure how much truth there is to this one but just passing it on!!    :o

Apparently the British government is entering into talks with the French government to purchase a number of Rafale fighters to supplement the intake of F35 Lightning II (JSF) fighters due in service in 2012.

Highly doubtful with the current government - they don't buy anything. Only exhorbitant PFIs and lease agreements will do for us....

I very much doubt it's true either but I'd love to get my sticky mitts on a Rafale, they're good looking aircraft!

Would be sweet if they did!   8-)

Would be sweet if they did!   8-)

Or they could save the cash full stop and buy something useful... At this rate JSF will be going nowhere in 10 years time - it won't have any fuel...

My only question is, why would the french operate the Typhoon after they basically walked off the project giving the british and germans the middle finger as they went. :-?
They have no use for the Typhoon simple as that.

My only question is, why would the french operate the Typhoon after they basically walked off the project giving the british and germans the middle finger as they went. :-?
They have no use for the Typhoon simple as that.

Quite. They've got a perfectly good aeroplane, designed all for themselves - the Rafale...

As I said, it is just a rumour. but quite a nice one!!

You're right though, the French don't seem to have a need for Typhoon and please bear in mind that this is the same RAF rumour mill that brought you "The RAF may buy MiG 29s from the Russians if the Typhoon gets delayed any more" and "The RAF are getting new strategic bombers" and who can forget the old chestnut "The RAF are replacing the Jaguar with A10s"!!

All of which have been going round over the past 10 years!!!

who can forget the old chestnut "The RAF are replacing the Jaguar with A10s"!!

That could never happen. It would involve having something well designed (not by committee) and ideal for its job.

Any other aircraft would be a better choice than the fat a** JSF.

I'm assuming that Humbug isn't a fan of the JSF?!!  

[quote]I'm assuming that Humbug isn't a fan of the JSF?!!

It's a bit strange they dont buy there own plane, the typhoon i suppose. Would be nice to more mig's around here though, you can say a lot about them russians, but they do make good looking planes!!

It's a bit strange they dont buy there own plane, the typhoon i suppose.

2 problems with that cunning plan: Firstly, the clever French decided to develop their Rafale with a Naval capability from the outset; secondly Typhoon production at the mo is aimed towards the middle east customer called Saudi Arabia....

That is actualy quite clever, good market to jump into. So they got any plan going on there?