ORAC
[
!!! I meant Orca.]
Can't say that I have much insight into Typhoon upgrade costs. My impression is that it has not so much failed in A2G as been subject to rather limited and disorganized efforts until recently.
There are actually two other ways to go into denied airspace: cruise missiles and a Neuron-type UCAV. Both complementary to a classic fighter aircraft.
As for the operational costs: Swiss assessed Typhoon and Rafale as 2x Gripen. Norway's predicted LCC for 52 F-35A is 3x Sweden's estimate for 60 Gripen, both for 30 years. And F-35B will be >F-35A. So I find the idea that F-35B will cost less to operate than Typhoon unconvincing on its face.