National Defence committee  From what I remember, it was a comprehensive evaluation of the different models, with all the available means that the Dutch air force could have. Obviously, at that time it was not possible to make an in-flight evaluation of the F-35, so the evaluation was made from the paper

National Defence committee  It was in 2002.

National Defence committee  I didn't talk about countries that bought the Rafale. So far the Rafale has been sold only in France, but I'm referring to programs such as the Mirage 2000, the Mirage F1, the Mirage III and Mirage V. Every time it depends, really, what the customer country wishes to have as an i

National Defence committee  That's correct.

National Defence committee  Yes, it was on the basis of the information they were provided with, regarding the F-35. I imagine Lockheed Martin opened their books and they went to Fort Worth and they got all the necessary information.

National Defence committee  It is usually the customer who pays for specific developments.

National Defence committee  Of course. If this would not be the case, it would mean that France would get out of any possibility of multinational operations with its NATO allies, which is not the case. The Rafale is fully interoperable with its allies. It will stay that way, and it will have the capability—

National Defence committee  I'm sorry, I didn't understand very well. Is that competition a breach...?

National Defence committee  No, no... Well, the Dutch Parliament ordered the Dutch government to conduct an evaluation of the various types they had selected, and they did it.

National Defence committee  The F-35, Rafale, Eurofighter, and I think Saab Griffen was in it as well.

National Defence committee  The ranking?

National Defence committee  As I told you, the F-35 and Rafale finished—

National Defence committee  Yes. The Eurofighter came next, and I think Griffen was.... They made a short list of three at a certain stage during the competition.

National Defence committee  No, the Hornet was not.

National Defence committee  It affects it in a very positive way, because it might very likely open the possibility for joint cooperation with the British aerospace, with BAE Systems in the field of UAVs.