Rafale smokes F-35A Lightning II over Finland, French Air and Space Force video shows its fighter 'locking' on to US stealth jet and 'scoring a kill'

A 44-second video shot during multinational wargames Exercise Trident Atlantic 25 in Finland has sent shockwaves through the combat aircraft industry and air forces across the world. Released by the French Air and Space Force, the video confirms that at least one of its Rafale fighters, a 4.5 generation combat aircraft locked on to a American F-35A Lightning II fifth generation stealth jet and "scored a kill" during the military exercise.

Exercise Trident Atlantic 25, hosted by NATO member Finland, saw the participation of defense forces of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. While the military wargame was held in Finland from June 16 to 27, the French Air and Space Force (officially known as Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace) on August 20 on its X handle released the video of the Rafale taking on the F-35A.

The video starts with a Rafale taking off and a few second later shows a F-35 jet passing it. The Rafale pilot is then seen trying to lock on to the F-35 and at exactly 15 seconds of the video, the French fighter's radar paints the American stealth fighter. An audio "take the shot" is then heard, indicating the Rafale firing its missile in the mock dogfight to take down the F-35.




After 20 seconds of the video clip, a Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighter finds itself in the Rafale's firing line. The French fighter locks on to the F/A-18 Hornet twice - first at 22-23 second mark in the video and then again at 28-30 seconds.

What is Atlantic Trident 25 where Rafale "killed" an American F-35?

Finland joined NATO on April 4, 2023, to become the US-led military alliance's 31st member. The country organized the multi nation wargame Atlantic Trident 25 from June 16 to 27 at its Rovaniemi Air Base, involving troops from France, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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The aim of the military exercise was to develop Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concepts, which involves new techniques and procedures to keep up and stay ahead with new aerial warfare strategies.

The aircraft which took part in the exercise included Finland's F/A-18 Hornets, E-3F AWACS aircraft, Rafale jets, an A400M transport aircraft, and an A330 MRTT tanker from France, Royal Air Force Typhoons and US F-35A Lightning II, F-15E Strike Eagle jets and KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft.

According to a NATO press release dated June 18, 2025, NH90 helicopters and ground-based air defense units from the Finnish Army, as well as aircraft from Draken International were also involved in exercise. A total of 40 aircraft and approximately 1,000 personnel took part in Atlantic Trident 25.

Rafale vs F-22 Raptor in 2009

The Rafale's scorecard against American stealth combat jets also includes a "kill" of the US Air Force F-22 Raptor which took place during a military exercise in the United Arab Emirates in 2009.


When the US Air Force denied that a Rafale had "shot down" its F-22, the French Air and Space Force released a cockpit video to validate its claim of the "kill". The F-22 was flying with external fuel tanks, reducing its maneuverability and the Rafale pilot had to push the jet as well as himself to the extreme to score the "kill".

The Rafale cockpit video shows that the plane consistently flying and turning at 9g and the pilot's groans as he takes the physical strain to complete his mission is clearly audible. The Rafale is able to lock on to the F-22 and then score the "shoot down".