The reported Rafale “kill” against a U.S. F-35A during NATO’s Atlantic Trident 25 exercise in Finland has sparked an intense public debate that highlights the fundamental doctrinal divergence between European and American fifth-generation fighter design philosophies.

The encounter, part of dogfight training conducted from June 6–27 with multinational participation, demonstrated the Rafale’s intrinsic advantage in close-range manoeuvring owing to its aerodynamic delta-canard layout, high thrust-to-weight ratio, and mature electronic sensor fusion. Video evidence circulating online purports to show a Rafale locking onto the F-35 at extremely close quarters and registering a simulated missile release, underscoring the aircraft’s enduring relevance in visual-range engagements.

While this moment has been seized upon by critics of the F-35 to claim vulnerability, defence analysts caution that modern air combat rarely descends into such within-visual-range encounters.

The F-35A’s design represents a paradigm shift that elevates stealth, network-centric situational awareness, and long-range precision over pure agility. Its low observability, advanced AN/APG-81 AESA radar, and integrated electronic warfare suite give it decisive first-look, first-shot capability in beyond-visual-range battlespace conditions, where survivability hinges less on close combat and more on remaining undetected. In this respect, the F-35 is optimized to neutralise enemy aircraft long before entering merge scenarios.

For the Rafale, such simulated successes serve as strong marketing tools as Dassault aggressively positions the jet as a versatile and cost-effective alternative on export markets. The fighter’s combat record in Libya, the Sahel, and Ukraine support its branding as a proven multirole platform able to hold its own against more expensive fifth-generation types in certain tactical situations.

Paris is keen to leverage such publicity to expand its footprint in countries reluctant to buy into the F-35 ecosystem due to high long-term sustainment costs, U.S. export restrictions, or industrial participation concerns.

At a broader doctrinal level, this episode illustrates the persistent tension between traditional air-superiority concepts based on dogfighting performance and the emerging emphasis on long-range stealth-centric combat networks.

While the Rafale’s agility can exploit rare visual-range circumstances as in the exercise, the F-35’s architecture intends to make such situations unlikely in real high-intensity conflicts. Analysts therefore note that while the Rafale’s simulated victory is instructive in training, it should not be misread as a refutation of the F-35’s strategic design premise.

Instead, the two jets embody divergent approaches to achieving dominance in the air — one through pilot manoeuvrability and proven kinetic performance, the other through information dominance, stealth, and pre-emptive strike capability.

Comparative capability table contrasting the Dassault Rafale and the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II based on their design philosophies, combat roles, and core technologies:

Rafale Vs F-35A Capability Comparison

AspectDassault Rafale (France)Lockheed Martin F-35A (USA)
Generation4.5+ generation multirole fighter5th generation stealth multirole fighter
Design PhilosophyAgility, multirole adaptability, cost-effective exportabilityStealth, information dominance, long-range engagement
Airframe & LayoutDelta-canard, aerodynamically agile, optimized for dogfightsStealth-optimized shape with internal weapons bays
Engines / Thrust2 × Snecma M88 (50 kN dry, 75 kN afterburner each)1 × Pratt & Whitney F135 (125 kN afterburner)
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio~1.13 (combat load, superior high-G performance)~1.07 (optimized for stealth rather than raw agility)
Stealth / RCSLimited RCS reduction (partial composites, coatings)Full-spectrum stealth with very low RCS
Radar & SensorsRBE2-AA AESA radar, SPECTRA EW/ECM suite, IRST systemAN/APG-81 AESA radar, DAS (Distributed Aperture System), advanced EW and IRST fusion
Sensor FusionMature, excellent in multirole ops but less centralizedHighly integrated sensor fusion with network enablement
Weapons (Air-to-Air)MICA IR/EM, Meteor BVRAAM, Magic IIAIM-120D AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder
Weapons (Strike/Other)SCALP cruise missile, AASM Hammer, Exocet AM39, nuclear optionJDAMs, SDBs, JASSM, nuclear B61-12 option
Dogfight PerformanceHigh agility, excellent instantaneous turn rates, supermanoeuvrable in WVRInferior in close-in manoeuvres but aided by HMD-targeted high-off-boresight missiles
Combat Radius~1,850 km (with external tanks)~1,200 km (internal load, no tanks)
Payload Capacity~9,500 kg across 14 hardpoints (external + semi-conformal)~8,160 kg with 4,300 kg internal (stealth mode)
Multirole FlexibilityLand attack, air superiority, naval strike, nuclear deliveryPrimarily strike and SEAD/DEAD with stealth edge
Unit Cost (approx.)~€90 million (export, varies with configuration)~$80–90 million flyaway, higher life-cycle maintenance
Export Market AppealStrong for nations seeking autonomy, flexible mission setsAppeals to U.S.-aligned states prioritizing interoperability and 5th-gen access
Operational UsersFrance, India, Egypt, Greece, Qatar, UAE, IndonesiaU.S., UK, Italy, Japan, Australia, South Korea, others (~19+ operators)

Key Takeaways

The Rafale excels in dogfight scenarios and multirole adaptability, with an emphasis on affordability and autonomy for export customers.

The F-35A dominates in beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat by virtue of stealth, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare — making it less likely to enter close combat situations like the one seen in Atlantic Trident 25.

Both jets reflect different philosophies: Rafale represents evolved 4.5+ generation versatility, while F-35 is purpose-built for the stealth/information-centric battlespace of the future.

Based On HT Video Report