in fact.. yes.

first, for the very reason thobbes stated – lack of superpower support should lead to pretty low level in AAA

– nations that go to war around the planet do so with internal politics in mind – they won’t start a war if there’s a danger of heavy losses. all wars in the last 25 years have shown the path: attack the weak and endlessly talk with the powerful…

for the powerful guys, there’s too much to loose in an open conflict between them… it’s just not worth it…

I strongly disagree but I do prefer your scenario for the only sake of those who wld be involved.

If DEW’s aboard tactical fighters are successful and tactically significant as both an offensive and defensive weapon, i am sure many many air forces would re-look at their fleets. We may well need many many more bombers then fighters…basically take out the opponent before he can launch his babies…Larger crafts can also generate more powerful DEW and of course carry a lot more weapons.

Power does not Hve to be provided by the aircraft 😉

This is a quite massive order I would guess when 2/3rds of the fast Jet pilots will fly mostly training aircraft. About how many airframes are we talking here ? And how is this all going to be organized ?
A central training center for all those pilots or a number of trainers attached to each 2nd tier fighther squadron ?
While T-50 and M346 are obviously the most capable candidates, I would guess T-50 wins technical evaluation and then get’s thrown out for some bogus reason.
M346, Hawk et al are a bit expansive, I would think. The motivation behind all this is to reduce costs, right ? My bet is either M346 in partnership with RSAF or PC-21 on cost grounds.

The T50is rather expensive to operate and France wld needs ctrl over engine tech (service life expension for example).

A good point (my own guess) wld be a derated peace time mode with eco capability and “empty” airframe delivery (mothballed)

considering that there’s often whining about this or that european air force not buying european, it would be quite strange to go for an airframe coming from somewhere else…

– A good candidate may be the hawk (yet, one may ask, “why buy the aircraft to the brits while they don’t buy from us?” (naval rafale for example) :p )

– another good candidate would be the M346,.. twin engined, good performer, and most certainly giving the ability to install systems that would allow operational training and, eventually, light warfare if needed

– PC-21 would be just a trainer, but would lack performance if France had the idea to use a “cheaper option” for “overseas operations” like in Africa, for example

For example, one could imagine a Rafale going downtown leading a patrol of lighter aircraft to have a combined strike (cheaper than the 100% Rafale package) with all the capabilities of a Rafale, and with more eyes and bombs (guided by the leader) over the combat zone. A turboprop may have difficulties following in such a scenario

Do you still think that in ten years the bad guys in an asymetric scenario will still hve only Ak47, old aden or bofor canons and religious song to throw at fast jets passing by?

…The F-35 clean has all the targetting , EW stuff onboard and of course the ability to carry 2 x 2000 lb bombs and missiles.

And an exilirating engine for the pilot.

However the polemics aroundthe bigger wing (wich is normal for a plane that has seen such a change in the expectations of its users – remember the 16, the 4, the 86 and blablabla) makes me lean toward a slightly over weighted craft with not as good as expected transonic acceleration. But to say it again, slightly…