Macron champions European defence shift with Rafale upgrade
– 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 – argues 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 modernise 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 modernisation. Paris plans to increase orders for Rafale fighters, which can carry nuclear weapons. It will also invest £1.3 billion in the Luxeuil-les-Bains airbase in eastern France, which is crucial for the French air force.
France aims to inspire Europe to change
During a visit to Luxeuil-les-Bains on March 18 at 3:15 PM GMT, Macron emphasized that the world is becoming increasingly dangerous and uncertain. He stressed the need for the country and the continent to remain committed to defence, armament, and preparedness to prevent war.
According to Macron, the continent's defence should primarily be based on solutions available in this region. In an interview for Le Parisien newspaper, he stated that those who purchase Patriots should be offered the French-Italian next-generation SAMP/T, and those who buy F-35s should be offered the Rafale. In his view, this approach will help build a European defence system that becomes less dependent on Washington's current priorities and choices.
The fifth-generation F-35 fighters, offered by the American company Lockheed Martin, had 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. Current, future, and potential F-35 users have concerns about Washington possibly blocking access to components, causing software issues, or "disabling" the fighters.
As Defence One reminded us, Lockheed Martin 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 10 March regarding Swiss fighters, the company emphasised that "remote control" or "blocking" of F-35A fighters, for example, through external electronics interventions, is impossible.
Lockheed Martin added, "Switzerland does not need consent if it wants to use its weapon systems or guided missiles for its defence. It can do this autonomously, independently, 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 of this type being developed in Europe. How do 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 of the word. 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. Importantly, the French fighter is also adapted to carry nuclear weapons, including 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, minimising 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. Poland is also awaiting delivery of the F-35A version, which is certified to carry American B61-12 nuclear bombs.
As multi-role fighters, Rafale and F-35 can perform similar tasks. However, the F-35 has an advantage in terms of stealth, but also in integration with modern network-centric warfare systems. Rafale, on the other hand, 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, and they cannot be regarded as full 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.
