The comparison is interesting. The Rafale is more expensive than the F-35 and the F-35 has better stealth, but it is known French passive radars can detect most if not all US Stealth planes. Anything else like speed, range, and climb rate and possibly missiles advantage is for the Rafale.
I think they went for the F-35 to carry US nuclear weapons. At the time, I read that planes need extensive certifications for this including giving US access to critical components. Obviously no european arms manufacturer should give these to the US.
In 20th century France and Germany have been at each other's throats twice. That's what I'd call "unreliable". Merely telling Europe that the US can no longer fund its security, or entertain the EUs delusions of military grandeur (which is true - we're broke AF) is nothing in comparison to that. Do not think for a minute that anything is forgotten between the two countries - in Europe nothing is ever forgotten.
What nonsense is this? The friendship between Germany and France since the end of WWII is a resounding success story. There is no fundamental distrust between the two countries.
> in Europe nothing is ever forgotten.
"Not forgetting" and "harbouring a grudge" are two different things. It's precisely because we remember two devastating world wars that we're trying to foster cooperation in Europe.
It's more likely now for a European Federation to happen than another Franco-German war. Euroscepticism is on the backfoot now, thanks to Trump's America.
Oh for sure. It’s just a question of who own the kill switch.
In the context of Russia grabbing land in Eastern Europe and the US aligning with Putin… a French or German kill switch sounds better.