Jet Set Go: Can Europe Break Free from the F-35? Rafale, Typhoon, and Gripen Take Flight

European nations are currently seeking alternatives to the US-made F-35 because of strategic reliance, cost, and political unpredictability. France's Dassault Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and Sweden's Saab Gripen E are the top three European aircraft demonstrating themselves as serious players....

European nations are currently seeking alternatives to the US-made F-35 because of strategic reliance, cost, and political unpredictability. France's Dassault Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and Sweden's Saab Gripen E are the top three European aircraft demonstrating themselves as serious players. The Rafale offers total technological autonomy and state-of-the-art multi-role performance, and the Typhoon is a recipient of NATO integration, high speed, and proven combat credentials. The Gripen E stands out as being affordable, operationally efficient, and easy to upgrade, with Portugal and Canada now looking at it due to fears of US domination of the F-35's systems. While the F-35 still dominates stealth and network-centric operations, mounting domestic and political pressure in Switzerland is gaining ground for these European fighters. Next-generation European jets like SCAF and Tempest won't materialize until 2040, however. Source: EuroNews.com