TOP 10 Fighter Jets in the World

KingKush
Sep 16, 2022
4 min read

Fighter aircraft are designed to defend airspace, in order to have air dominance and defeat the enemy, a fighter jet must have firepower, speed and maneuverability. Pilot’s skill is also important to maneuver and control and win air-to –air combat proper training is necessary. Modern fighter jets must be able to compete in the air and on the ground. Fighter jets are deigned for specific roles and purposes. Some of these classes include air superiority, fighter bomber, interceptor, strategic fighter as well as an all-weather fighter aircraft, including reconnaissance fighter. With Improvements in technology, countries like United States, Russia, China and India have pursed stealth technologies to design a more efficient fighter jets that can dominate and control the airspace. Here are the 10 best fighter jets in the world.

1. F-22 Raptor (USA) Estimated price per unit : $120 million

The F-22 has been in service for 25 years. It first took flight on Sept 7/ 1997 in Marietta, Georgia. It is the “pathfinder” to the next generation of air dominance. F-22 Raptor is the 5th generation fighter aircraft with stealth, speed, agility and situational awareness it also has long range air-to-air- and ground to –ground weaponry.

2.F-35 lightning II(USA) Estimated Price:$120 million

F-35 lightning II is designed and manufactured by lockeed Martin. It is a 5th generation jet as it is high tech and is able to perform both air superiority and strike missions. F-35 lightening II can operate in all-weather conditions and its capabilities include electronic warfare, surveillance intelligence as well as reconnaissance. F-35 lightning II is controversial. As it is prone to Failure and its continuous upgrades makes it expensive, nevertheless it maintains the spot as the number one fighter jets in the world because of its high tech and capabilities making it hard to detect, while have vertical and takeoff and landing.

3.Sukhoi Su-57 ( Russia) Estimated price: $42 million

Sukhoi is a multi-role fighter aircraft developed by Sukhoi. It is capable of air-to-air combat as well as ground maritime strike. Sukhoi Su-57 is the first Russian stealth technology that’s 5th generation. Its entry into service was on December 25, 2020. Russia is continuing to make upgrades and improvements to enhance its low-speed maneuverability and stealth radar- detection and other electronic sensors.

4. Chengdu J-20 (China) Estimated price: $120 million

Chengdu J-20 is China’s 5th generation aircraft designed for multi-role purposes. First entered in service in March 2017, it is the world’s third operational 5th generation fighter aircraft after the F-22 raptor and the F035 variants. Emerged in the late 1990’s it is based on the J-xx program. It has seen major improvements such as use in tactical, bombing, electronic warfare and carrier strike roles.

5. Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet ( USA) Estimated price: $52 million

This is a multi-role fighter jet, based on the McDonnell Douglas F-A-18 Hornet. First Super Hornet was in service in 1995. There’s been enhancement to the original design equipped with a larger and more capable derivative of the F/A-18 C/D variants. Improvements in new engines, it can carry more missiles as well as more time in the air because of its larger fuel storage

Top 10 Fighter Jets in The World

6. Euro-fighter Typhoon( Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom)

Estimated price: $150 million

A European multinational and multi-role fighter designed for air superiority. It is manufactured but Consortium Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo. Typhoon started its development in 1983 with joint European companies in design and manufacturing. It has seen its debuted in 2011 in military intervention in Libya with UK and Italy performing aerial reconnaissance and ground-to air missions.

7. Sukhoi Su-35 ( Russia) Estimated price: $85 million

This is a single-seat twin-engine super-maneuverable aircraft designed by Sukhoi Designed Bureau .This design is based off of Su -27 adding canards and multi-function radar giving it multi-role capabilities. First flight was on June 1988 with its improvements and redesign of the cockpit and weapons control system and improvements in thrust engine began in 2009. China and India have placed orders amidst the ongoing wars in Ukraine

8. Dassault Rafale ( France ) Estimated price : $115 million

Introduced in 2001, the Rafale is in service for both the French air force and navy. This is a multi-role aircraft that is maneuverable; the Rafale can track 40 targets and fire at four targets simultaneously. Rafale is intended for air supremacy, aerial reconnaissance and ground support, in depth strike, anti- ship strike and nuclear deterrence. Some countries that purchased The Dassault Rafale are Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, Indonesia and UAE. Rafale has been used in wars in Libya, Afghanistan, Mali, and Iraq and in Syria.

9. Shenyang FC-31 (China) Estimated price: $70 million

This is a 5th generation Chinese multi-role fighter aircraft designed by Chengdu Aerospace Corporations. This will be china’s main fighter jet and will see major improvements and sales. First tested in October 31st 2013, it has potential to be one of the best , some improvements include its maneuverability , stealth design, internal weapons bay, enhancements in radar and targeting capabilities and upgraded warfare systems makes it one of the best fighter jets in the world.

10.Saab Jas 39E Gripen

This is a Swedish light single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish defense Company Saab AB. Saab first began its development in 1979 to replace Saab 35 Draken and 37 Viggen in the Swedish air force. The first flight occurred in 1988. It entered service in 1996. Primary users are Sweden South Africa, Hungary, Czech and the Brazilian air force.