Article is guff
where is there any evidence or rational argument to show that the F-35 compares unfavourably with any of the alternatives?
The best one can say is that F-35 has a design lineage to the F-22, is made by the same manufacturer, and is clearly going to gain substantial capabilities in terms of performance, systems, weapons and survivability. It is being bought by many of the world's most developed air forces, in some cases in preference to other modern Western fighters. In service, it is planned to be operated at the front line of operations. It was designed to be 'affordable', and the costs shared among many partners, and is still costing the world's biggest economies shedloads
What makes anyone think the Russians can knock up something better in a fraction of the time, and have it ready for service earlier