Ukraine did just that prior to 2014.
Otherwise, your weapons should be a practical deterrent to an aggressor.
Ukraine did just that prior to 2014.
Otherwise, your weapons should be a practical deterrent to an aggressor.
I wasn't claiming a modern fighter is not a critical part of this equation. I was merely asking what does actually "best" mean in this case. If I get you on my fire control radar and you get me on yours and we both fire missiles, it seems to me the missile and the radar is far more important part of this equation than the avionics platform where they are.
So, practical tactical features...
What happens is F-35 lets you fire missiles a lot earlier than your opponent. If they see you at all.
The 'lock on radar' part is what all Russian missiles struggle with currently, a situation they hastily attempt to remedy.
Thanks, that's a fairly critical feature.
Can I humbly ask you for citation?
As it stands right now, the Swiss Air Force is a 9 to 5 operation, and they operationally can't answer threats at night. Not sure that fancy F-35s would change that...