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Dassault Rafale B — Description

(Derwent Graphitint)
Today I have the France Fighter Jet Rafale in the 2 seater version.
I've used a tinted watersoluble graphite pencil for the drawing and washed it.
The Rafale is an up to date European fighter jet and an attractive alternative for the Lockheed Martin F-35.
Considering the current political situation, that the USA becoming an more and more unreliable and unpredictable country, I think other countries can not afford anymore to rely on US controlled weapon systems, where the threat is always imminent that the US potentially pull the power plug, refuse updates, spares and maintenance any time.
Imo all European countries which already ordered the F-35 should re-evaluate this decision and potentially drop the orders again.
Personally I think the main advantage of the F-35 stealth, which makes it also insanely expensive to operate will leverage in the future.
Stealth fighters make currently excellent 1st strike attack weapons which can operate deep in enemy territory, but the European focus is on defence and not attack.
And any time a good leap forward in sensor and detection systems could render this advantage obsolete, then the the F-35 will be only be an very expensive average capable fighter anymore.
Even today e.g. Gripen and Rafale jets can already detect the F-35 under good circumstances.
There are at least 3 capable European options with the Dassault Rafale, the Saab Gripen and the Eurofighter available to replace the F-35.
The Gripen's main disadvantage is currently it's F414 engine, which is licenced by Volvo from General Electrics.
In the last weeks US already brought down a potential Gripen sell to Colombia as the F414 falls under US ITAR export control.
Instead the US suggested to buy F16 or F35 instead..... what a surprise.
Rumors claim that Saab already started talks about replacing the F414 in the next iteration with a Rolls Royce engine e.g. the EJ 200.
I'm sure that Safran Aircraft Engines which produces the Snecma M88 for the Rafale could also make an offer.
Main take away for European countries is to stay away from equipment which falls under US ITAR control.
New developed military equipment should not contain such parts anymore and for existing systems alternatives should be found.