A fighter purchase carries a relationship with its supplier state. F-15 procurement brings participation in the American system, while the French Rafale provides a different supplier relationship. The claim to greater independence concerns that choice of partner. It does not establish that changing supplier eliminates dependence or that one aircraft performs better.
Notable Point · 6:58:58-6:59:12
Fighter purchases and relationships with supplier states
F-15 and Rafale purchases illustrate how supplier relationships accompany equipment choices.