A French Dassault Rafale "downed" an F-35 in a simulated close-range dogfight during the Atlantic Trident 25 joint military exercises.
Analysts highlighted that the simulated encounter occurred at close range, noting that modern warfare increasingly favors beyond-visual-range engagements and stealth, key advantages of the F-35.
France is leveraging this simulated victory to promote the domestically produced Rafale as a pan-European alternative to the F-35, aiming to reduce 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.
