A French Dassault Rafale achieved a simulated "kill" against a U.S. F-35 during joint military exercises in Finland, sparking online debate about the jets' capabilities.
Analysts noted the simulated engagement occurred at close range, which undermines the F-35's primary advantage in beyond-visual-range combat, a more typical scenario in modern warfare.
The incident is being leveraged by France to advocate for its domestically produced Rafale as a pan-European alternative, encouraging European countries to reduce their reliance on U.S.-made military platforms.
A French Dassault Rafale “downed” an F-35 in a recent simulated dogfight, stoking debate online about how the two fighter jets stack up.
Footage shared by the French Air and Space Force on X shows a Rafale pilot locking in on an F-35, followed by an audio command instructing the pilot to “take the shot,” indicating a simulated missile firing.
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Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
