F-15EX vs Rafale: If You Could Only Buy 12 Jets… Which One Actually Wins?

Описание: Everyone loves fighter-jet arguments—top speed, thrust, radar range, payload charts.

But real air forces don’t live on spec sheets. They live on budgets, readiness, sustainment, and mission requirements that don’t care about internet debates.

So in this episode, we’re not asking, “Which fighter is better?” We’re asking the harder question procurement teams actually face:

If you can only afford 12 aircraft, do you buy maximum magazine depth and long-range punch… or do you buy maximum flexibility, survivability, and a complete mission package?

That’s why this matchup is so interesting. Because the F-15EX and the Dassault Rafale represent two very different philosophies.

The F-15EX is often treated as a modern “missile truck” concept—big payload, long legs, and the idea of bringing serious magazine depth to air defense and beyond.

The Rafale, on the other hand, is built around the “omnirole” approach—one platform designed to cover multiple mission types, with a strong reputation for system-level integration and self-protection.

In this video, I walk through the comparison using practical, real-world framing.

We start with Mission 1: Air defense and long-range intercepts—why “second shots” and sortie endurance matter.

Then we move to Mission 2: Precision strike under air-defense pressure—why survivability, situational awareness, and self-protection can matter as much as what you carry.

After that, we talk about firepower versus making firepower count. Carrying more is great… but only if you can survive long enough to actually use it.

Next is sensors and electronic warfare (EW)—the part that decides who sees first, who gets targeted, and who gets to stay on mission.

And most importantly, we face price reality—why “cost per jet” is almost always the wrong question, and why procurement packages can look wildly different depending on what’s included.

At the end, we bring it back to the big question:

If you could only buy 12 jets, would you prioritize maximum air-to-air magazine depth and reach… or maximum multi-mission flexibility and survivability?

Drop your take in the comments. And if you enjoy this style—real-world tradeoffs, not brochure wars—hit like, subscribe, and I’ll see you in the next one.

Credit B-roll videos:
• F-15EX Visits Selfridge, by TSgt Andrew Schumannn
• First Aircraft Arrival F-15EX at the Portland Air National Guard Base, by Steven Conklin
• TLP French Air Force Rafale and Mirage 2000C/D Takeoffs, by SSgt John Ennis
• Point Blank 19-2 French Rafale B-Roll, by SSgt Mikayla Daly
• Indian Air Force maintenance at RF-A 24-2 B-roll Stringer, by SrA Patrick Boyle
• Rafale C F3 Gust of Wind - War Thunder. Official channel.
• F-15EX EX8 Delivery - Boeing
• Flying a combat-ready F-15QA