F16 - F16AJ - F16 OCU (Thailand).
F16A Block 10.
At the time of this post , the standard F16A Block 10 found in Tech Trees such as France , and primarily the USA , sits at 12.7 in battle rating. Simultaneously, the F16 “Netz” in the Israeli line is at a lower BR of 12.3 , despite its clear superiority in missiles , with the Python 3 a generally better Sidewinder than the Aim-9L , whilst also retaining the same flight model, and even having double the counter-measures on the premium version. In addition to this, at the F-16As battle rating of 12.7 is several aircraft that vastly outperform it. Examples of this include the F16A OCU, and the F15A/J/I , with both of these having access to IRCCM IR missiles that outmatch the AIM-9L , and in the F15s case , a competent Fox-1 missile that changes the range of engagement capable on the aircraft. With this being said , it is entirely illogical that the standard F16A Block 10 remains at the same battle rating , or in the case of the Netz ,a higher battle rating than something that is objectively better than it by a tangible margin. The illogicality of this is furthered by the battle rating of the F16A being 12.3 in ARB. What improves its performance between the 2 modes to warrant a 0.4 increase in BR. whilst its competitors in the same airframe see no difference? Luckily , there’s a simple solution to this ,where the A Block 10 with all AIM8L`s is simply lowered to 12.3 with its counterpart the Netz . Whilst it is still inferior , any lower would make it too strong , effectively reversing its position now , so an identical BR to the Netz would be fair in this case.
F16AJ (Japan)
Alternatively , I believe the F16AJ in the Japanese Tech Tree is similarly underpowered , sitting at 13.0 , a ridiculous BR for its capabilities. The AJ is identical to the block 10 A model , however has the ability to carry 2 AIM-7F Sparrows on the inner pylons. Apparently this is justification for its aforementioned BR , but it makes little sense when again , you compare it to it surrounding adversaries. The F2A , at the same rating , has a superior flight model ,a superior weapons kit of both IRCCM AAM-3 IR missiles and AIM-7M sparrows , having twice as many FOX-1S and overall 8 missile's to 6 on the AJ. It also has an extremely more advanced radar than the AJ ,with an AESA that rivals the top jets in the game. , whilst being arguably the best dogfighting aircraft in game. The F16 leads in only 2 categories , speed and energy retention , hardly enough to make up for its disadvantages. Then there's again , the early F-15s , which have a very similar loadout to the F2A , at an even lower BR of 12.7. I propose the AJ drop to 12.7 with the F15 and F16OCU for Belgium/France , making it a more competitive option for the Japanese tech tree.
F16 OCU(Thai)
Slightly differently , is the F16 OCU for Thailand , that holds 6 AIM120s at 13.7. I believe , that if the ADF for both Italy and the USA are comfortable at 13.3 , there's really no reason for the OCU to be higher , as they're identical apart from the somewhat useless IR HMS that the later gets , which wouldn't be missed if it was removed. Whilst it does have the option of AIM-9M and Python 3 missiles , these again wouldn't be a huge loss if removed to make the platform go to 13.3 , perhaps removing the 9ms and keeping the Python 3s would be fine , but regardless , most players will recognise the better option of taking the full Fox-3 loadout. To be clear , I think it should be stripped of its HMS , AIM9MS and potentially Python 3`s , and then moved to the same BR as the ADF in both Sim and ARB , as its quite possibly the worst 13.7 in the game right now , and offers 0 advantages or even near par capabilities with the F16C besides the flight model.
A small more emotionally driven foreword ,
I am aware that the BR balancing is done on player performance , but in these cases , its absolutely absurd to rely on that. The aircraft stated here are only played by skilled players because of either the uniqueness/rarity of acquiring them , or the common knowledge of they’re inferiority at such a BR. It`s unacceptable to leave them in such a state like this , where players feel they cant use them as the competitive odds are stacked against them in matchmaking , which they absolutely are.