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.
The encounter took place in June during joint military exercises known as Atlantic Trident 25. The exercises were staged at bases in Finland and involved American, British, French, and Finnish forces.
According to the National Security Journal, the footage also shows the Rafale “winning” an engagement with a Finnish Air Force F-18C/D.
Security analysts on X and other forums were quick to point out that the simulated fight occurred at relatively close range. One of the F-35’s main advantages is that it can attack from beyond the visual range of its targets.
Close-range dogfights are increasingly rare in modern warfare, and many next-generation fighters have been designed to prioritize stealth.
The simulated kill comes as France lobbies other European countries to reduce their reliance on U.S.-made military platforms. French President Emmanuel Macron has used his social media accounts to advertise the Rafale, which he presents as a pan-European alternative to the F-35.
Unlike most other European fighters, the Rafale is produced almost entirely within one country, France. Its production involves most of France’s major defense contractors, including Dassault, Thales, and Safran.
