The Typhoon and the Rafale are 4.5 gen, because they focused less on stealth which is just not as big a priority for Europe. But they are very much comparable, and I believe refulable from RAF. That said there is a 6th gen in development, FCAS, but there where delays, which is always the case.
> What do you mean "for europe"? Many European NATO members are buying stealth F-35s because for them stealth is a priority.
Europe doesn't prioritize stealth because Europe uses it's airforce primarily as response and defense. Being able to take down targets long before ever noticed is not in Europe's playbook right now, when it becomes required, that's where NATO comes in.
Individual countries buying is their own thing.
> The entry of FCAS into service is expected in 2040 lmao, definitely not "at present" like OP said.
Yes, these things take time..
Point is the Eurofighter's fill a role, to enrich all the ariforces. It's not a competition between the USAF and European, we collaborate, unless we're in another war, these days who knows.
> No. Of course not.
I think if Ukraine has showed anything, it's that definite assertions like that are risky.
The Typhoon and the Rafale are 4.5 gen, because they focused less on stealth which is just not as big a priority for Europe. But they are very much comparable, and I believe refulable from RAF. That said there is a 6th gen in development, FCAS, but there where delays, which is always the case.
interesting tests in dogfighting were done at least : https://www.businessinsider.com/nato-pilots-break-down-f-35-...
Now will dogfighting matter? Who knows, but the EU certainly has different priotities.
> because they focused less on stealth which is just not as big a priority for Europe
What do you mean "for europe"? Many European NATO members are buying stealth F-35s because for them stealth is a priority.
> FCAS, but there where delays, which is always the case.
The entry of FCAS into service is expected in 2040 lmao, definitely not "at present" like OP said.
Also the UK is a member of the competing GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) project
> Now will dogfighting matter
No. Of course not.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Combat_Air_Programme
> What do you mean "for europe"? Many European NATO members are buying stealth F-35s because for them stealth is a priority.
Europe doesn't prioritize stealth because Europe uses it's airforce primarily as response and defense. Being able to take down targets long before ever noticed is not in Europe's playbook right now, when it becomes required, that's where NATO comes in.
Individual countries buying is their own thing.
> The entry of FCAS into service is expected in 2040 lmao, definitely not "at present" like OP said.
Yes, these things take time..
Point is the Eurofighter's fill a role, to enrich all the ariforces. It's not a competition between the USAF and European, we collaborate, unless we're in another war, these days who knows.
> No. Of course not.
I think if Ukraine has showed anything, it's that definite assertions like that are risky.