First of do not argue for the sake of argument, if i am wrong i have no problem that IAF got Dassult and i wish to be corrected. I hope that is the attitude you bring.
Neither have supercruise capability. Other than that Rafale can do the same as EF. Both go above Mach 1 with limited store without afterburner. Not a big deal.
Both Wike and Combat aircraft claim EF has super cruise and your the first person to say its not a big deal, to get to your traget faster and without dumping fuel in the after burner, increases range and speed by a huge margin.
It is important because it is linked the engine power, effecinecy of aerodynamics and service ceiling ability.
The lesser it is the better it flies at higher altitudes. But Rafale is meant for low altitude flight because of wing and inlet designs. EF is actually more or less the same as Rafales. Not a big deal.
I suppose that is right.
Rafale is lighter by a ton or two.
That does not matter when EF has more thrust and has better load carrying ablity and service ceiling.
The pilots have physical limitations at such high altitudes. If required the MKI can go upto 75000 feet. Pugachev took the MKI to that height himself.
That is not how service ceiling is calculated, If a jet engine exceeds it's designed altitude the engine will stall due to lack of oxygen, forcing the plane to yield to the law of gravity, The Mig-29 and Su-30Mki even though the service ceiling may say 55,000 ft, if the plane can attain a vertical speed of 1000mph at 40,000 ft, it may travel ballistically to 80,000ft or more useing its momentum. At that altitude it is essentially as aerodynamic as a rock and it falls until it returns to a low enough altitude to fly again but that is not
sustainable. EF engine has a better design and more thrust allowing it to
Sustainits flight at 65,000ft with load. The Rafael can not cruise sustainable at 65,000ft, that is the difference.
Nothing really. The deal was independent of political interference. Dassault won only because their bid was cheaper.
I hope so and i hope Sarkosy did not interfere.