Archibald
Banned
Mirage F1M wins out over the Super Entendard, this means that the F8's are not purchased and the ADA and MN have fighters with compatible parts. This means more money is available for the MN to develop more advanced versions of the F1M which would push the ADA a reason to upgrade their F1's to a higher standard meaning that the deal of the century has issues because the F1 version being offered is a slightly more advanced fighter then the F16. End result is that there is more money available for fighter development and the 4000 is favored over the 2000 as the ADA already has a capable light fighter in service. The 4000 as developed serves as a high end fighter, much like the F15. As the ADA would still not have the money to buy the numbers they would want, Dassualt would be pushed to export it aggressively. I would expect that Australia, Canada, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and several other country's would benefit from this. While i doubt that those countries who bought the F-16 would be interested those that bought the F/A-18 would be aggressively courted by Dassualt.
One interesting twist to this would be the possibility of smaller carriers holding out just a little bit longer as the F1M would be able to operate from them. Country's like Brazil, and Argentina could field carriers with more modern fighter and attack craft meaning they stay in the carrier business longer. Spain might be induced to purchase a british or french cast off or develop their own CATBAR design so long as more modern fighters are available. Given they were looking for an anti sub platform perhaps the S-3 viking is purchased by them.
Amen to that !
this means that the F8's are not purchased
The F-8 were purchased in 1964 but there is no question they could be retired by 1975 or 1980. Who knows, France may sold them to the Philippinos for spares (Marcos and Pinatubo made F-8H life difficult)