So let’s talk about the UK Phantoms. For quite some time these planes have sat in what can best be described as a dubious spot in the BRs. Sitting for a while at 11.3 due to the presence of the PD radar which far surpassed the 11.0 Phantoms that lacked such a radar, however in light of the recent BR changes the UK Phantoms short comings have been highlighted and put out for the world to see.
These planes were moved up to the battle rating of 12.0. This plane, simply speaking, does not perform at this level.
For starters, it has the worst flight model of the F-4 Phantoms. The redesigned wings result in a far worse turn ability for these phantoms.
Their Air to Air capacity is also inferior to their comrades. Not only does the F-4J get the option to use the same missile in the form of the AIM-7E-2, not only does it get the far superior AIM-7F (which the F-4S shares at this same BR) but these phantoms also get the benefit of an HMD on top of the superior flight model rendering the F-4 UKs outclassed by other nations using the same plane.
It gets far worse however, at 12.0 we have the following.
- Mirage F1Cs
- Tornado F3s
- Ja37D
- Kfir C7
all 4 of these planes have better IR missiles. 9Ls, Magic 2s, and Python 3s. ALL 4 of these get better or more flexible flight models. But to rub the salt in the wound, the Tornado F3 at the same EXACT BR in the same EXACT tech tree, gets nearly 6x the countermeasures, the same missile count, better missiles in all regards, and a far superior radar! Similarly the Viggen at the SAME BR gets the same exact SARHs as the F-4J’s and a better FM, and also nearly 6x the CMs.
These planes have nothing that makes them standout at this battle rating, they cant BVR due to their SARHs being worse than the competition. They cant dogfight due to having worse missiles, AOA, and FM than all their competition. They’re tied for lowest amount of CMs at the BR. So why are they 12.0? The F-4E at 11.3 competes FAVORABLY against this aircraft.
So I propose a solution. The F-4J UK, lacks the only redeeming quality the FG and FGR hold to their name, the upgraded engines. So it should go down to 11.7, simply due to its PD radar. This keeps it the same BR as the Mig 23s (planes that absolutely out perform it still). The FG and FGR meanwhile should get their historically used, AIM-9Ls. Previously the excuse used was that this weapon was too good, but that excuse (yes it is an excuse) does not work when at the exact same BR you have multiple planes operating this weapon, on better platforms, in the same quantity as the Phantoms.