Originally Posted by
ORAC
The French pulled out of the EFA consortium, which became the EF2000 consortium, because they insisted upon a carrier capable design which would be able to operate of off the Foch. The weight, range and payload limitations that would have imposed (the "10 ton" airframe) were unacceptable to the other nations. Hence they designed Rafale on their own.
ORAC Thank you for the further insight into French design goals. It is still however true to say that the Typhoon's basic structure was not designed to take the stresses of CATOBAR operations whilst the Rafale even with a lower weight was from the outset.