to answer the original question :
1) lots have been said : if the 5th gen mark is stealthiness, it won't happen because the rafale can't and will never be able to carry his weapons internally. If you're definition of 5th gen is electronic capabilities, counter measures, very advanced avionics, AESA and so on, then the rafale can become 5th gen at some distant point. Personnaly I'd say it's a 4.5 gen aircraft (with AESA on)
2) The UAE have decided a few years back to diversify their weapon procurements. They decided half their fighter planes would be from the US, and the other half from France. Today, they want to modernize their French half, that's it. So no, they won't just buy more F16s.
1) lots have been said : if the 5th gen mark is stealthiness, it won't happen because the rafale can't and will never be able to carry his weapons internally. If you're definition of 5th gen is electronic capabilities, counter measures, very advanced avionics, AESA and so on, then the rafale can become 5th gen at some distant point. Personnaly I'd say it's a 4.5 gen aircraft (with AESA on)
2) The UAE have decided a few years back to diversify their weapon procurements. They decided half their fighter planes would be from the US, and the other half from France. Today, they want to modernize their French half, that's it. So no, they won't just buy more F16s.
Stop reading mainstream newspapers. The Dubai debt is not a major event. First because Abu Dhabi bailed out the Dubai cousin. Plus Dubai's debt is around 2% of the GDP...which is nothing compared to US or Europe debt. To put it shortly, the guys bought lots of stocks during the 2000-2008 era, and didn't want to sell it in 2008-2009 because it was worth nothing at the time, so they got short on cash. Don't worry for them, they will make it i Assure you.I am surprised that the UAE is going for a possibly very highly expensive acquisition so close to the Dubai debt default. But UAE has a knack of going for the best possible and customized options, it had cost them a whopping 3 billion dollars just to come up with the Block 60 F-16s apart from the price of the fighters. Also i am guessing Abu Dhabi has a lot of oil money in its coffers to fund acquisitions.