Dassault Rafale: The Fighter Jet Every Air Force Would Love to Buy

From 19FortyFive.com: We live in an era where stealth technology dominates the conversation on modern and future airpower. America’s F-35, the F-22 Raptor, and the brand-new B-21 Raider bomber are all at the bleeding edge of stealth technology. China, too, is making inroads in the realm of stealth aircraft. How is it that Dassault’s Rafale remains a viable option for many countries worldwide? The Rafale’s continued longevity, even in a world where fighter design is moving toward incorporating low-observable aspects, is partly thanks to Dassault’s ability to source or manufacture components domestically, the jet’s relatively low operating costs, and filling a specific, non-stealthy market niche without the financial and logistical complications of steal aircraft programs. Not every air force needs stealth capability, and Dassault can deliver minimally stealthy but still capable jets very quickly, thanks in part to the success of its domestic defence industrial base.