The rafale is perhaps the most capable 4.5 gen fighter for the export market, and as such gives you the benefits of most 4.5 gen. Its available earlier than the F-35, at a lower cost (as per current estimates) both procurement & operational and comes in with significantly less risk i.e. its price and capability can be nailed down to the $ and a date of delivery. Its expensive to buy and operate 5th gen fighters, most of the EU air forces have chosen to go for the less risky route and stick to capable 4.5 gen fighters, Only russia, china and the US are devloping dedicated 5th gen fighters, and these are your 3 high spenders as far as defense goes. There is plenty of room for 4.5 gen fighters to be effective in the global defense scenario, not everyone has to deal with penetrating chinese A2AD….
Ultimately it would be what the rest of world decides that would determine which fighter is better (if you want to use that yardstick, which to me is quite amusing)…In the export market, the F-35 should obliterate the rafale by say 2030. Where the rafale is superior to the F-35 is COST, delivery timelines, and capability by a particular date. Once the F-35 goes IOC in all 3 versions and with the block 3 software, things will begin to change !
It all comes to national security needs, and mission set. While for most europeans there is not going to be a more challenging A2AD threat then say Libiya, for nations like the US, India, potential conflicts in the pacific do require the ability to penetrate considerbly more complex A2AD environs. So the response would be different to what the french have for their own national security needs.
Which is why you buy a plane, no? Did i quote Rafale as having superior capabilities to F35? I simply intended to say that in a certain envirnment, doctrina etc. You are looking for capabilities that fit you. Dont dismiss “4.5 gen” fighters (not only Rafale), they are evolving also. (for ex discretion demostrator for Rafale “DEDIRA” should fly next year, F18 “hyper”hornet is now flying etc.)
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