A French Dassault Rafale "downed" a U.S. F-35 and a Finnish F-18 in simulated close-range dogfights during the recent Atlantic Trident 25 military exercises.
Security analysts noted that the simulated engagement occurred at close range, which is not typical for modern warfare where the F-35's strength lies in beyond-visual-range combat and stealth capabilities.
France is using this event to advocate for the domestically produced Rafale as a pan-European alternative to the U.S.-made F-35, aiming to reduce European reliance on American 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.
