A 4.5 gen, "low-observable but non-stealthy", non-STOVL land/cat-equipped carrier based fighter.
When the RAF, RN, USMC, Italian Navy, Spanish Navy all want a STOVL 5th gen, stealthy fighter to fly from Non-cat/trap carriers and limited-runway-length land bases (like USMC/RAF Harriers have been doing in Iraq/Afganistan)?
Rafale does not meet the requirements, thus is non-compliant for the contract.
Ho, hum.