Mariner...I agree with you. Here’s some additional info:
The F-22 was designed with embedded systems that the US is/was unwilling to export, so none were exported. Comparing F-22s with F-35s is, IMHO, a worthless exercise.
One of the key points in the article is that the F-35 architecture allows countries that develop their own ordnance and avionics the ability to integrate their technology into their F-35s. What’s unsaid is that the USAF can easily remove US technology without impacting flying performance.
WRT “dogfights”...if the evaluation starts “at the merge”, then an F-16 will hold its own against an F-35 and the winner will generally be decided by individual pilot skills. However, if the evaluation starts at 50 miles, the F-35 will almost always win as the “bandits” will be burning long before the merge.
And finally, the Israelis won’t buy junk.
Folks also dismiss the overwhelming advantage the sensor fused AAQ-37 DAS and APG-81 Radar offer to any pilot.
Nothing else comes close.
Including the systems offered on the F-22.
DAS has detected AA missiles from 1200nm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF29GBSpRF4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1NrFZddihQ
Again, nothing in the air is even close.
It’s the finest deep interdiction and strike aircraft ever fielded, and offers acceptable AA capabilities.