Source: Tactical Reports http://www.tacticalreport.com/view_news/Li...rocurement/2442

 

Recently appointed Chief of Staff of the Libyan Armed Forces Major-General Yusef Al-Manqoush is said to have no intention of putting any obstacles before any European country trying to place offers with the Libyan Air Force (LAF) for fighter jets. He provided his views regarding the Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Mirage 2000-9.

(rmks: It looks like the reconstituted LAF will court EU aircraft suppliers - almost a no-brainer in defense circles. These procurments will likely act a shot-in-the-arm for European aircraft companies).

 

What are the thoughts of the forum?

 

FWFS,

 

Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired

Renton, WA, USA

There was persistent talk of supplying Rafale to Qaddafi before the dust up.

 

One wonders if the bad luck in Rafale's export effort will continue, particularly if there is any lingering connection is made with that regime.

Although Rafale is a candidate, its an older airframe. I'm thinking a reconstituted LAF would likely go with the Eurofighter or sticking with the Russians - Mig-29 or SU-35. That's my take. It will be interesting to watch - along with how the navy refits, which will also probably be a priority for the new government.

 

Greg

Although Rafale is a candidate, its an older airframe. I'm thinking a reconstituted LAF would likely go with the Eurofighter or sticking with the Russians - Mig-29 or SU-35. That's my take. It will be interesting to watch - along with how the navy refits, which will also probably be a priority for the new government.

 

I seriously doubt the 'age' of Rafale (and I assume you mean the raw number of years its been kicking around in development, because Rafale is only a couple years older than Eurofighter in terms of operational service) will have any serious impact on a front line fighter choice for Libya.

 

I expect the larger considerations will be political and financial. The first affecting who will be selling, and the latter affecting what they can afford to buy. Both might eliminate Rafale and Eurofighter from the outset.

 

In fact, until they get their own governance in order, Libya might not be in any position to consider anything in the way of big ticket military wares outside of that needed for its own internal security.

I'm still very much liking the Rafale and Gripen NG for every aspiring player in the EU backyard that isn't a strict ally of the US. So that'd work well for Libya, and when it comes time we can see how the F-16s out of Italy do at knocking them down.

 

Why do I like Rafale and Gripen NG? Lots of punch in a small package. They give up some range to gain that smaller size but they should be extremely capable aircraft and they can carry up to date weaponry and have sensors that enable precise delivery of that weaponry.

I doubt they'll go Russian - that country dragged its feet too much on intervention and only abstained on the resolution that authorised it - they were still heavily critical throughout the conflict.