This thread is about “fighters”. Not bombers, attack aircraft or interceptors.

F-4E. A good choice, until the F-14 comes out, then to the F-15.

The way I understand it, it’s about the search for one combat aircraft to equip your air force. Naturally, that has to be something with a robust A/A capability but also A/G. So one multirole fighter to equip your air force. I’m not sure a 70s Tomcat beats a late model F-4E in the A/G area.

How about the F-4E.
First flight in 1967. The slatted wing, which is the one to have, was introduced in 1972. Many USAF units didn’t get the E model before ’70 and before the F-15 achieved IOC in ’75, it was state of the art. For a while longer as a multi-role jet.

Only possibility remains that a larger country decides to develop a new plane on their own, again for political reasons and advancing its knownhow base, and then tries to offset some expenses by selling their product. So far best chances of that seems to be the new prospective Turkish trainer, which seems it will be in T-50 size, which means it may one day be turned into some sort of combat aircraft.

Or the new Ukrainian fighter. To be powered by two АI-322F engines for a total thrust of 8400 kg. If it ever sees the light of day, I wouldn’t be surprised if it looked a lot like the L-15 aka Yak-130M.

The F-105 was just as capable, more advanced version came about briefly before McNamara’s flunkies made sure it was no longer used, as would have been the proposed B-58 TAC version.
The Air Force wanted more Thuds badly beforre McNamara killed production. The F-111 was not capable of defending itself, the F-105 was.
Pilots who flew it said nothing could catch the Thud at low altitudes.

In what ways was the F-105 just as capable? Can’t be payload/range. Or avionics, think low level terrain following at night and in bad weather. Speed? The 111 is faster. Self defence? The 111 could outrun pretty much everything and could carry Sidewinders. Internal gun possible.
Just to give you some numbers: Ferry range for the F-105 with full internal (i.e. with weapons bay fuel) and external (3 tanks) fuel: 1917 nm. FB-111 ferry range without external, with weapons bay fuel: 3033 nm. 4313 nm with 6 drop tanks.
Granted, the FB-111 carried somewhat more fuel than the F-111 versions, but you see where this is going. The F-111 is vastly more capable.
I recommend this interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-hrrMlksNA

It seems you are right:
https://www.facebook.com/Truppendienst/posts/1622983254381157

@ Vnomad:

That F-5F is carrying an ECM pod under the left wing, Ericsson VISTA 5/Erijammer A-100 used for ECM training and nowadays flying on the PC-9. The bomb shaped thing on the other side is just a counterweight, not a bomb.

Thanks eagle. that makes sense. sounds like really, they should consider Gripen or golden eagles.

But they have already asked for more than QRA and Saab didn’t even want to reply so that ship has sailed.

next question. are you and eagle1 rivals? German Swiss vs French Swiss?

No. eagle1 is French French afaik 😉

question. why is the typhoon too expensive to do QRA and the Rafale and F-35 not? even though as you said, they are all around the same price

They’re all too expensive and overkill for simple QRA duties.

I ranked them for out of area ops – 1. F-35, 2. Rafale, 3. EF.