F-15E first flight - 11 Dec 1986
One must remember that f-15E look like f-15C but it is a total
redesign plane.
Eurofighter - althought the first flight is 27 March 1994, but was
not really that new, it dervied from Experimental Aircraft Program
(EAP) which first flight was Aug 1986 just that agreements and
contracts drag on and delay , which make people think it is more
recent.
Rafale first flight - 04 july 1986
Looking at the data above, all 3 planes are the same generation and
technology. They are equal in a lot of area.
The reason why singapore choice f-15 sg is the right choice.
Singapore have a wide range of high tech weapons, the only plane at
the moment capable of carry them is only F-15 sg . Sad to say
Rafale & Eurofighter will need some years before they can do
so. F-15 also have the superior range and load.
For those who like eurofighter & rafale, face the fact the
ideal of plane able to outturn taking down another plane in
dog-fight seem glorious. But they must not forget F-15 can do it
also. But modern warfare already changing, with the new helmet
sights and missiles which the plane manubility is not that
important, they became more of missile platform carrier. Nowaday,
you are more interest in taking out those planes before they even
airborne, so F-15 is the better plane to get the job done.
Consider also if war happens, the ease of resupply and replace of
the planes is in question. If rafale or eurofighter, supply is
going to be a huge issues. Where as F-15, supplies is easiler and
can be instant taking from US stockpiles.
