It’s okay for any nation to be one update behind. It happens. But I’m not going to lie, nothing has been as fun as when the MiG-29 first came out, and you could just BVR almost anyone who tried to come close (because you’re stupid to dogfight the F-16).
The R-73 on the dev server was cracked, and the radar for a short period of time was finally somewhat on par with everyone else. R-73 got nerfed to shit, and is still a mediocre missile at best.
Considering I slap F-15C with the Sea Harrier FA2 without too much issue, then the F-4F ICE should be fine. Im currently spading the Tornado F3 AOP and its going okay so far. (and that is 90% stock with 2x Aim-9L and Aim-120B currently, I dont even get stock IRCCM like the ICE does)
The F-4F ICE and F-15C performance wise, is not even a comparison. It is not even a discussion.
As for your statement of “well I kill F-15Cs easily” wanna know why? It’s the same reason the 15A was 12.3 when 12.7 was a thing… Because U.S. players suck at the game
If you go purely off vehicle performance the 15C dog walks the F-4F ICE, Tornado F3 Late, Mig-29 SMT, and JF-17.
As in “this plane will only lose if the pilot actively decides to push a disadvantageous situation”
This does not matter at all, as unlike Germany, the USA and USSR (alongside other countries) actually have planes to fill the gap in capability. At the end of the day Gaijin is a business, and it would be extremely bad business to introduce 4.5 gen planes before they finish adding all the 4th gen planes.