Originally Posted by
Darren_P
Hasn't the Rafale broke the mould with that though? It doesn't seem to give up much compared to the French Air Force version.
Darren P, as I understand it the Rafale's development was only started because a Naval Version of what is now Typhoon was ruled out by the then consortium, the French then left and started development of the Rafale, that from the bottom up has been designed to fly off carriers. Similar in many ways to the Phantom and Buccaneer.
That is not to say that if the Rafale had only been developed for the French Air Force that it might not have been slightly lighter etc but then the French Navy would have no up to date aircraft.