EU defence pivots: Macron urges shift from US arms purchases
– Those who buy Patriot should be offered the new-generation Franco-Italian SAMP/T. Those who buy the F-35, should be offered the Rafale – convinces Emmanuel Macron, urging EU countries to reduce their arms purchases from the USA and increase them within Europe. At the same time, the President of France announced a plan to modernize national nuclear deterrence capabilities.
France is one of the countries advocating for Europe's security based on regional military equipment and local security guarantees. Emmanuel Macron had already suggested that French nuclear deterrence forces could extend their protection to European allies. Now, he has announced their modernization.
Paris plans to increase orders for Rafale fighters, which can carry nuclear weapons. It will also invest $2.17 billion CAD in the Luxeuil-les-Bains airbase in eastern France, which is crucial for the French air force.
France aims to inspire Europe to change
The world is becoming increasingly dangerous and uncertain, argued Macron during a visit to Luxeuil-les-Bains on March 18 at 11:15 AM EST. He warned that the country and our continent must continue to defend, equip, and prepare themselves if we want to avoid war.
Macron emphasized that Europe's defence should primarily rely on solutions developed within the continent. In an interview with Le Parisien, he stated that those opting for Patriot systems should be offered the French-Italian next-generation SAMP/T. At the same time, buyers of F-35s should have the option of the Rafale. In his view, this strategy would contribute to establishing a European defence system that is less dependent on Washington’s current priorities and decisions.
The fifth-generation F-35 fighters, offered by the American company Lockheed Martin, have been considered one of the best choices for Western air forces wanting to build a modern fleet of aircraft. The machine, which has no direct competitor in its class, excluding what Russia and China have to offer (although there are doubts here), is nevertheless losing popularity.
Portugal recently withdrew from purchasing F-35 fighters. Canada is also seeking alternatives to these machines because its relations with the USA deteriorated after Donald Trump took office in the White House. Ottawa initially planned to acquire 88 such machines, but the agreement is being reviewed. Concerns about current, future, and potential F-35 users relate to the possible blocking of access to components, software issues, or the possibility of Washington "disabling" the fighters.
As Defense One reminds us, Lockheed Martin clearly denies the existence of such an option. There is also no evidence of a "switch" that would allow grounding the F-35 fleet. In a press release published on March 10 regarding Swiss fighters, the company emphasized that "remote control" or "blocking" of F-35A fighters, for example, through external interventions in electronics, is not possible.
Lockheed Martin added, "Switzerland does not need consent if it wants to use its weapons systems or guided missiles for its own defence. It can do this autonomously, independently, and at any time." Similar principles are said to apply to other F-35 users. However, not everyone is convinced. Some are already looking for potential replacements.
Rafale as an alternative to F-35?
For instance, Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair announced a review of other offers available on the market, and among the possible options, French Rafales are being mentioned. These are generation 4.5 fighters, considered one of the best machines developed in Europe. How does the Dassault Rafale compare to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II?
French and American fighters differ primarily in concept, purpose, and technological advancement. This stems mainly from the countries' different design philosophies and distinct approaches to the modern battlefield. Both machines are described as multi-role and capable of performing various roles. However, many experts point out that the undeniable advantage of the F-35, regardless of the type of mission, is its stealth technology.
While the Rafale features some solutions that reduce its radar detectability, as designers ensured a low radar cross-section (RCS) through the appropriate fuselage shape and the use of radar-absorbing materials, it is not a stealth aircraft in the full sense. The French fighter was not built from the ground up with the aim of minimal detectability, as the F-35 was.
Both the Rafale and F-35 can carry an impressive arsenal of weapons. The former can carry MICA air-to-air missiles, modern long-range Meteor missiles, AASM Hammer guided bombs, and SCALP-EG cruise missiles. Notably, the French fighter is also adapted to carry nuclear weapons — ASMP-A missiles—making it one of the pillars of France's nuclear triad.
It is worth noting that the F-35 carries weapons internally in stealth mode, minimizing its detectability by enemy radars. In the "non-stealth" configuration, however, it can carry a wide range of mounted weapons. These include AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, JDAM bombs, and systems for combating ground targets.
As multi-role fighters, Rafale and F-35 can perform similar tasks. However, the F-35 has an advantage in terms of stealth and integration with modern network-centric warfare systems. On the other hand, Rafale is more favourable in terms of cost and maintenance. It is cheaper to operate, and its systems are more open to modifications by the user. Undoubtedly, these machines cannot be considered equal or regarded as complete replacements for one another. Therefore, choosing between them is not easy, but in the current situation, it may be driven by operational and political priorities rather than purely technical parameters.
