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There has been a lot of talk lately about Turkey's request to purchase Eurofighters. Is it possible for Turkey to escape the commitments imposed on it by the Americans on military equipment exports, so that it can resort to the European market?

Is it also possible that Turkey, by purchasing European aircraft (Eurofighter), is "pushing" money to the major European aircraft manufacturing countries, seeking their favor in other issues in the Eastern Mediterranean? Is America out of the game with this purchase of Turkey? Let's look at the story from the beginning.

Historical background: The idea of ​​designing and building a European aircraft began in the early 80s, mainly to counter the threat posed by the Warsaw Pact aircraft of that time. The countries that initially started together were France, West Germany, England, Spain, and Italy. France wanted the aircraft under design to be capable of more than just countering the threat of Soviet aircraft.

For this reason, in 1985 he withdrew from the collaboration and entrusted the company Dassault the design of the RAFALE, while the other countries remained with the original plans and assigned the design of the Eurofighter to the companies Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo.

Initial problems of the Eurofighter

The Eurofighter as an air platform was ready before the year 2000, but due to many parties involved (companies and states) the certification of systems and weapons was delayed. It is noted that because it is also equipped with American electronic systems and weapons, the consent of the USA is also required. The Rafale with exclusively French design and construction, as well as French equipment and weapons, was ready and fully certified since the year 2004.

From the design, development, construction, certification, modifications, logistical support, etc., it was shown that the Eurofighter had initial problems, without ruling out that it may also have problems in the future regarding “approvals and possible objections” from the five countries mentioned above. For example, Turkey, as a potential future user, may face problems with “availability” of spare parts or even weapons.

Construction and Capabilities

Both aircraft are twin-engine and are considered 4,5 Generation. Key differences in their construction are:

1. The construction materials are carbon fiber, a little titanium and aircraft aluminum for the Eurofighter, while the Rafale has carbon fiber, much more titanium in parts of the fuselage and an aluminum-lithium alloy. The French excels in terms of construction materials.
2. The Eurofighter has digital displays with separate switches, while the Rafale has digital touch screens, meaning it is technologically superior in this area.
3. The Eurofighter has a RADAR with a mechanical antenna that can support one configuration, while the Rafale has a digital scanning antenna capable of simultaneously supporting two or more configurations.
4. The Eurofighter requires an external special-purpose sighting pod, while the Rafale has an integrated sighting system, making all external platforms available for loading weapons or fuel tanks. In the field of sighting and external configuration, the French aircraft clearly excels.
5. The Eurofighter accepts an external load of 16.500 lbs, while the Rafale 21.000 lbs. A very significant difference in favor of the French aircraft in terms of long range and mission effectiveness.
6. The Rafale is designed with a smaller Radar Cross Section (RCS), meaning it is not easily detected by enemy radars, resulting in an "invisible attack" and increased survivability in combat missions.
7. The Rafale has the ability to carry nuclear weapons, and there is also a model for using the aircraft on an aircraft carrier, capabilities that the Eurofighter does not have.
8. The Eurofighter carries a "panspermia" of weapons from various manufacturers (companies and states), mainly American, while all the Rafale's equipment is French-made, ensuring interoperability and electromagnetic interference in the operation of the individual electronic and weapons systems.
9. The Eurofighter has more powerful engines but with higher consumption than those of the Rafale, while the maintenance of the French engine is considered simpler and more economical.
10. Both aircraft are designed with “Delta – Canards” wings. The Eurofighter is agile at high speeds by having the canards wings far forward near the nose, away from the center of gravity, creating high torque but less stability.

On the Rafale it is close to the wing creating less torque but greater stability. It also maintains lift at high angles of attack and low speeds.

General notes

To date, approximately 600 Eurofighters and approximately 500 Rafales have been built. Qatar is the only country that has both types of aircraft. It is estimated that the Turkish Air Force, due to its good relations with Qatar, will have already evaluated the two types comparatively.

If Turkey ever acquires Eurofighters and continues its current warlike expansionist rhetoric and support for terrorism, it is certain to face problems similar to those it faces with the procurement of new or refurbishment of older F-16s by the US Government.

It should not be overlooked that the three manufacturing countries, Germany, Italy, Spain are Members of the European Union, along with Cyprus and Greece, as well as England maintaining bases in Cyprus. It is estimated that the decisions of all these countries involved will affect the release of maintenance materials, in the event that the Turkey escape the "politically correct" stance in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Summarizing all of the above, the Eurofighter is designed for air superiority with opponents, but in tactics, mainly the Soviet aircraft of the 80s. The Rafale is a multi-mission aircraft, with sophisticated electronic systems and long range that offers "solutions" to its user.

Rafale-Eurofighter Comparison – Which are superior and which are inferior