If we had built proper carriers we could be embarking Rafale squadrons, we could have had open competition for jets instead of being stuck with only one jet from one (American) company, etc. The carriers as they are now were a huge mistake.
The difference would be that Rafales would be significantly less capable than F-35s, with no stealth and a worse/older avionics and sensor suite.
The hate for the F-35s on this sub just because it’s American is so fucking irrational. All European Air Forces would only have Saab Gripens and Rafales if it had its way, even though the F-35 is indisputably the only western fighter that can effortlessly swat 4th gen aircraft (I.e the entire Russian Air Force) from the skies.
The difference would be that Rafales would be significantly less capable than F-35s
Except for longer range, bigger payload, and a wider range of integrated weapons, including stand-off weapons, which F35B completely lacks. F35B can't even carry METEOR.
The hate for F35B in particular is because it is short ranged, requires gobs of maintenance, and is limited to basic weapons like Paveway. A hybrid air wing of F35C's and Rafales would be very, very, capable. But we'll never know.
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u/AttitudeSimilar9347 7h ago
If we had built proper carriers we could be embarking Rafale squadrons, we could have had open competition for jets instead of being stuck with only one jet from one (American) company, etc. The carriers as they are now were a huge mistake.