Belgium sends out RFI's for F-16 Replacement.

[FredL]

You are absolutely right from an "objective" point of view.
I may also add the fact that fast jet training is, until now (France decision to buy PC-21 may change it), carried out in France with the French air force, through a pool of training aircraft, should be in favour of a decision to buy the same combat aircraft.

But from a Belgian political point of view, the NVA political party, member of the government and in charge of the Defense department, is hostile to this so-called "french speaking" Rafale solution and may try to back a "Dutch connection solution" (F-35 is entering dutch service). The Government, at least on the Flamish speaking side (which holds the arithmetic political majority), is, following newspapers, said to favour the F-35. Dassault's CEO looks to ba aware of this (http://www.levif.be/actualite/belgique/ ... 79691.html).

There are of course huge economic aspects : Dassault has close links with Sabca at Gosselies, which is a "plus" point for Rafale. But also a weakness as, once again, the NVA Nationalists may consider this as a political problem while Flamsh technological industry also has economic links with US aviation industry.

The rate of investments made in return (so-called "compensations") in Belgium may also be decisive but don't forget that here, Dassault has a poor reputation : Serge Dassault himself and some Belgian high ranking politicans have been sentenced in Brussels, in 1998, for corruption related to the modenization process of the F-16s through the Carapace ECM system. This corruption emerged through the economic compensation side of the deal.

I don not think that the fact that Belgium flew Mirage 5 until 1993 may weight a lot as, after those planes being bought, 45 years ago, Belgium anyway chose the F-16, not its competitor Mirage F-1, to replace F-104s. This decision, as far as I remember, was driven by the choice of NATO allied nations (The Nederlands, Denmark, Norway).
This time again, the fact that some NATO allies (The Nederlands, ...) chose the F-35 is often quoted in Belgium as an argument to do the same.

And finally Rafale (as Eurofighter) is a twin-engines jet aircraft while Belgium, since the begining of the 1960s, always favoured single-engine aircraft.

From an esthetic point of view, it is difficult to hide that I'd prefer Belgium to choose the Rafales. But who cares ?

F.

[Maudit]

Sweden also abandoned

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/201 ... 63952.html

[Daniel Ravenswaay]

Another reason which points to the F-35 that I forgot to mention in my previous post... The Belgians will (or already have) move their Flight Training to Sheppard airforce base in the US, making it also more likely they will choose for the Lightning II. The rumour is also that the Belgians will donate their Alpha Jets to the French airforce in the near future. This info comes from some Belgian spotters.

[Alpha Kilo One]

It's like watching an episode of Sesamstreet. Of course they will make the mistake buying the JFF.

[Stafsels]

Donating their Alpha Jet B+'s?

Sounds like the Germans when they bought their way out of using Portugese Airbases when "donating" their Alpha Jet A's....

Stafsels

[SquAdmin]

And finally Rafale (as Eurofighter) is a twin-engines jet aircraft while Belgium, since the begining of the 1960s, always favoured single-engine aircraft.

This has probably never been a guiding principle but the result of higher maintenance and fuel costs of twin engine jets. I assume the expected total cost of ownership of each jet will be evaluated in this competition as well.

From an esthetic point of view, it is difficult to hide that I'd prefer Belgium to choose the Rafales. But who cares ?

Only spotters care, but they are at the very bottom of the stakeholders list.

[nils]

not to mention the fact that cooperation is limited to France only, as the Rafale cant carry any US Built weapons (except for the Paveway LGB's) that are used by the majority of the EU/NATO members.
the Rafale could be rewired to carry those weapons (JDAM, SDB, AIM-9X, AMRAAM,...) but this could raise the unit cost significantly.

the Typhoon would be a more logical choise, should they choose to go European, but 9 out of 10 times its gonna be the F-35.

[SquAdmin]

not to mention the fact that cooperation is limited to France only, as the Rafale cant carry any US Built weapons (except for the Paveway LGB's) that are used by the majority of the EU/NATO members.
the Rafale could be rewired to carry those weapons (JDAM, SDB, AIM-9X, AMRAAM,...) but this could raise the unit cost significantly.

How about the Rafales that were sold to export customers? Were those all restricted to French weapons as well?