Why is this so important if it has vertical takeoff?
B is vertical takeoff/landing
C is carrier takeoff/landing
France has CATOBAR on Charles de Gaulle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_aircraft_carrier_Charle...
While they won't buy F35 this can matter for joint operations.
> As of July 2021, Charles de Gaulle was the only non-American carrier-vessel that had a catapult launch system, which has allowed for operation of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and C-2 Greyhounds of the United States Navy.
Similarly Rafale M (for "Marine" a.k.a French navy) is CATOBAR and cleared for U.S. carriers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault_Rafale#Variants
> Similar to Rafale C, but with modifications to allow operations from CATOBAR - equipped aircraft carriers. For carrier operations, the M model has a strengthened airframe, longer nose gear leg to provide a more nose-up attitude, larger tailhook between the engines, and a built-in boarding ladder. Consequently, the Rafale M weighs about 500 kg (1,100 lb) more than the Rafale C. It is the only non-US fighter type cleared to operate from the decks of US carriers, using catapults and their arresting gear, as demonstrated in 2008 when six Rafales from Flottille 12F integrated into the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Air Wing interoperability exercise.
Helicopters also tend to take off with forward speed if conditions permit. Not because of ejection options (they don't have them), but because of energy available and options in case of an engine failure. Forward speed is "energy in the bank" which you can use if (one of) your engine(s) quits.
Also, in my understanding, B variant doesn't have vertical take off too, it has short take off and vertical landing. It can do vertical take off, but burns too much fuel that way for any useful mission.