Belgium buying carrier borne aircraft?

in #history7 years ago

French lawmakers have claimed Belguim is interested in the Dassault Rafale fighter. What may surprise some, as Belguim does not operate an aircraft carrier, is they are reported interested in the Naval variant of the Rafale.

The Naval Rafale would allow Belguim to operate with French forces providing further power project across the globe from the Charles De Gaulle, France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Such a commitment shows the continued federation of European Forces. The Belguim are buying cooperation into French strategic carrier assets, showing faith that together they could face threats against both of their interests.

The long-term implications of such a deal would mean decades of mixed foreign​ policy implications. Especially for any long-term​ continued deployment and training of Belguim Naval Avatars​.

Carrier-borne version for the French Naval Aviation, which entered service in 2001. For carrier operations, the M model has a strengthened airframe, longer nose gear leg to provide a more nose-up attitude, larger tailhook between the engines, and a built-in boarding ladder. Consequently, the Rafale M weighs about 500 kg (1,100 lb) more than the Rafale C. It is the only non-US fighter type cleared to operate from the decks of US carriers, using catapults and their arresting gear, as demonstrated in 2008 when six Rafales from Flottille 12F integrated into the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Air Wing interoperability exercise.

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honestly , I think different firms are trying to win those contracts with deal that may and can not being put on paper and contracts because it's forbidden mixed policy's as you said . but I think they will anyway agree to something verbally , you know how that go's ;)

I think Belguim and France have close foreign policies especially when it goes to power projection and where they intended to do it. France is one of the last colonial powers with active forces and bases in Africa. Could it be Belguim wants intervention capabilities to protect business interests? Of course, ​this is out of the box thinking without much evidence but you have to wonder outside the typical NATO mission what some would want when catching a ride on a French aircraft carrier.

well as in a good poker game they don't let themselves look in the cards :) hahaha