Once again, France's Rafale fighter jet commanded attention. During the Atlantic Trident 25 exercise in Finland, Rafale achieved an impressive victory over the U.S. F-35 Lightning II by securing a 'kill lock.' This term signifies that the enemy's fighter jet is in the missile's crosshairs, unable to escape.
The F-35, a fifth-generation stealth jet, was locked by the 4.5-generation Rafale, a feat significant enough to be celebrated because Rafale previously outmatched the F-22 Raptor in a 2009 exercise. Let's delve into this thrilling episode.
Atlantic Trident 25: What Transpired?
Held from June 16 to June 27, 2025, Finland hosted the significant military exercise Atlantic Trident 25 for the first time outside of France, the USA, and the UK. Air Forces from the USA, UK, France, and Finland participated. The two-week exercise aimed to enhance synergy between fourth and fifth-generation fighter jets and test their combat capabilities.
Participants of the Exercise:
USA: F-35A Lightning II, F-15E Strike Eagle, and KC-135 Stratotanker.
France: Rafale, E-3F AWACS, A330 MRTT, and A400M Transport.
UK: Eurofighter Typhoon.
Finland: F/A-18 Hornet.
More than 40 aircraft and 1,000 military personnel engaged in this exercise across Finnish bases in Pirkkala, Rovaniemi, Halli, Kuopio, and Jyväskylä.
Rafale's Prowess: Securing the F-35
On August 20, 2025, the French Air and Space Force released a striking video on their official X account. The footage showed a Rafale pilot using an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system to lock onto the F-35 during a Basic Fighting Maneuver (BFM), also known as a dogfight. At the 15-second mark, the Rafale's target acquisition system visibly locks onto the F-35, representing a simulated kill.
Source: aajtak
Dogfighting refers to close aerial combat, where pilots perform rapid maneuvers to target their opponents. Rafale trounced the F-35 with its exceptional agility. According to experts, the F-35 likely received the Rafale's radar lock alert on its Radar Warning Receiver (RWR).
It's crucial to note that in exercises, a 'kill' means securing a radar lock, not launching real missiles. This achievement is significant because the F-35 is renowned as a stealth jet adept at evading radar.
Rafale vs. F-22: The 2009 Saga
This isn't the first instance of Rafale outmatching an American stealth jet. In November 2009, during a UAE exercise, Rafale managed to overtake the F-22 Raptor, the world's most advanced fighter jet. Air Forces from the USA, UK, France, and UAE participated.
While the F-22 outmaneuvered several Rafales, one French pilot, by pushing his Rafale to 9G, secured a lock on the F-22 and achieved a simulated kill. Later, the French Ministry of Defense released a video showing Rafale's infrared-guided Mica missile locking onto the F-22.
Source: aajtak
The Power of Rafale
The Rafale, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter jet designed by Dassault Aviation, excels in air superiority, ground attacks, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence. Highlights include:
RBE2 AA AESA Radar: cutting-edge radar capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST): detects stealth jets based on heat signatures.
Mica and Meteor Missiles: capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks.
Maneuverability: delta wings and canard design offer superb agility.
Self-Defense Systems: evades enemy radar and missiles effectively.
Rafale’s displays highlight its effectiveness against stealth jets like F-35 and F-22 in close combat.
Significance of this News:
France's Marketing Strategy: President Emmanuel Macron showcases Rafale as an alternative to F-35 in Europe, emphasizing self-reliance.
NATO Competition: Despite being NATO allies, USA and France compete in the fighter jet export market. While many nations chose the F-35, this victory boosts Rafale’s credibility.
India’s Pride: Having acquired 36 Rafale jets, this achievement is a matter of pride for the Indian Air Force.
Source: aajtak
Rafale vs. F-35: Technical Comparison
Rafale (4.5 Generation):
Known for agility, multirole capability, and cost-effectiveness, excelling in close-range combat.
F-35 (Fifth Generation):
Boasts stealth, long-range radar, and data fusion, designed for Beyond Visual Range (BVR) warfare, allowing long-distance targeted strikes.
The Finnish incident underscores Rafale’s agility advantage over F-35’s stealth in dogfights. Yet, modern warfare predominantly employs BVR, where F-35 reigns supreme.
Source: aajtak
Future Prospects:
Rafale Sales: France aims to sell Rafale to nations like Portugal and Colombia, using this win to strengthen marketing.
Rafale in India: This news delights the Indian Air Force, which may procure more Rafales under the MRFA deal.
NATO Cohesion: The exercise highlights NATO allies' readiness against rivals like Russia and China.
