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During simulated air combat in Egypt, French Rafale fighters allegedly outperformed Russian Su-35s thanks to their Spectra onboard electronic warfare system. Defense Express experts analyzed whether this system alone was sufficient for this result, or whether data exchange systems and radar picket aircraft also played a significant role. The issue has gained renewed relevance amid reports of Russian Su-35S fighter jets being delivered to Ethiopia. The country announced the receipt of the first batch of 12 aircraft. Experts speculate that these are likely aircraft manufactured under the unrealized Egyptian contract. Meanwhile, Iran continues to await delivery of these fighters, which, according to available information, may not take place until 2028. Against this backdrop, the Arabic publication Defense Arabic recalled an episode involving mock air combat in Egypt. According to the publication, French Rafale fighters were able to counter the Su-35 thanks to the use of the Spectra onboard electronic warfare system. This experience likely contributed to Egypt's decision to ultimately abandon the purchase of Russian fighter jets. According to the publication, the Rafale Spectra system successfully jammed the Irbis airborne radars of Russian aircraft. This prevented the Su-35s from effectively conducting even simulated attacks. An additional problem for the Russian fighters, according to these reports, was their poor technical condition compared to the Rafale. At first glance, this story demonstrates the French fighters' technological superiority over the Russian Su-35. This is especially true given that Spectra is an integrated onboard electronic warfare system, not a dummy rig. This is also important for Ukraine, which is expected to receive French Rafales in a few years. At first glance, the above immediately suggests that the Rafale has an undeniable technological advantage over the Russian Su-35. Moreover, Spectra is an integrated electronic warfare system, not an external component, and this is significant given that the Ukrainian armed forces are scheduled to receive Rafales from France in 2028, the experts emphasize. However, However, they believe the Arab sources reports lack important details. Specifically, the exact timing of the mock battles is not specified, it is only known that they took place before 2021. There is also no information on the number of aircraft involved or the ranges at which they operated. Under these circumstances, it is incorrect to directly apply the results of these exercises to potential air battles in Ukraine. Furthermore, Egypt possesses not only modern fighter jets but also other important aviation components. Specifically, the country uses its own version of the Link-16 system, which enables rapid data exchange between aircraft during flight. It also operates 72C Hawkeye AWACS-class airborne early warning aircraft. Thus, the Egyptian Rafale's advantage may have been the result not of a single electronic warfare system, but rather the interaction of several technological components. The fighters on board equipment is only one important element in such a system. It's worth noting that Egypt has its own equivalent of the Link-16 system, which allows for rapid data exchange in flight, and, of course, its own fleet of AWACS-class aircraft, consisting of 72 Sea Hawkeyes. This represents a comprehensive technological advantage, of which the aircraft's onboard equipment is only one important element, the article states. Therefore, for Ukraine, acquiring the Rafale aircraft themselves, even those equipped with sophisticated electronic warfare systems, does not guarantee a similar advantage in the air. Comprehensive support for these aircraft will play a crucial role, a sufficient supply of long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles, effective data exchange between air platforms, and possibly the delivery of Western-style radar picket aircraft, writes Defense Express.