Originally Posted by
Jackonicko
Quel surpris!
French Armed Forces Minister Tells VRT
"France’s Armed Forces Minister on Friday called on Belgium to do the right thing when choosing its next fighter, and to pick the competitor that would best support the emerging European defense compact as well as Belgium’s own defense capabilities.
"During a June 8 interview with VRT Flemish radio-television, Florence Parly also took a swipe at the two aircraft that are competing for an order…..
"If Belgium were to opt for the F-35 to replace its current F-16s, Parly told VRT NWS "it would be a terrible choice…..The American offer is an expensive one, and comes at a very particular time, when the United States has launched a trade war against Europe,” she said.
"For Belgium, “a founding nation of the European Union, it would be a terrible choice,” because it wouldn’t support the Europe defense compact, she said.
"Parly dismissed the Eurofighter Typhoon, made by a four-nation consortium but represented by British company BAE Systems in the Belgian competition, in a few words.
"The British plane has not yet demonstrated its performance, and we think that performance is rather mediocre," the French minister said."
Good old Flo! She obviously didn't notice Libya in 2011, or Shader, or any of the Red Flags….. Seven or eight years ago she's have had a point about 'not demonstrated', perhaps, but now…..?
I wonder whether Trump's recent 'diplomacy' will have helped Typhoon's chances in Belgium and Canada?
Rafale has AESA, sensor fusion, it’s cheaper and has similar performance to Typhoon....