A French Dassault Rafale achieved a simulated kill against an F-35 during joint military exercises (Atlantic Trident 25), igniting online debate about the jets' capabilities.
Analysts highlighted that the simulated dogfight occurred at close range, a less common scenario for the F-35 which prioritizes stealth and beyond-visual-range combat.
The simulated victory is being leveraged by France to advocate for its domestically produced Rafale as a strong European alternative to 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.
