Fighter jets are the most prominent part of any air force. They are also often the most important. Fast, agile, and powerful, modern fighters can perform various roles and are truly universal aircraft.
Top 10 Fighter Jets of The World
- Sukhoi Su-35S (Russia)
The Sukhoi Su-35S, an ultimate version of the celebrated Su-27 platform, is a Russian fighter jet that boasts remarkable capabilities.
- Type: Multi-role air superiority fighter
- Max Speed: Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h)
- Combat Range: 1,600 km (without external tanks)
- Engines: 2 × Saturn AL-41F1S turbofans
- Thrust: 32,000 lbs per engine (with afterburners)
- Service Ceiling: 60,000 feet
- Weapons:
- 30mm GSh-30-1 autocannon
- 12 hardpoints for air-to-air, air-to-ground missiles, bombs (R-77, Kh-31P)
- Avionics: Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar (400 km range), advanced electronic warfare suite
- Eurofighter Typhoon (Europe)
The Typhoon stands as one of the most advanced and powerful 4th generation jets, with the latest variant, Tranche 3, employing cutting-edge technologies.
- Type: Multi-role air superiority fighter
- Max Speed: Mach 2.0 (2,495 km/h)
- Combat Range: 1,390 km (without external tanks)
- Engines: 2 × Eurojet EJ200 turbofans
- Thrust: 20,000 lbs per engine
- Service Ceiling: 55,000 feet
- Weapons:
- 27mm Mauser BK-27 cannon
- 13 hardpoints for missiles and bombs (Meteor, IRIS-T, Paveway)
- Avionics: Captor-M radar, Pirate IRST (Infra-Red Search and Track)
- Dassault Rafale (France)
The Dassault Rafale, similar to the Eurofighter Typhoon, was initially developed as part of a joint program.
Rafale has a variant that can land on an aircraft carrier and is certified to carry air-launched nuclear weapons.
- Type: Multi-role fighter
- Max Speed: Mach 1.8 (1,912 km/h)
- Combat Range: 1,850 km
- Engines: 2 × Snecma M88-2 turbofans
- Thrust: 16,900 lbs per engine
- Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet
- Weapons:
- 30mm GIAT 30 cannon
- 14 hardpoints for missiles and bombs (Meteor, MICA, SCALP EG)
- Avionics: RBE2 AESA radar, SPECTRA electronic warfare system
- Boeing F-15EX Eagle II (USA)
The Boeing F-15 Eagle, one of the first 4th generation fighter jets, continues to impress even as it celebrates its 52nd birthday in 2024.
- Type: Air superiority fighter
- Max Speed: Mach 2.5 (3,017 km/h)
- Combat Range: 1,800 km
- Engines: 2 × General Electric F110-GE-129 turbofans
- Thrust: 29,000 lbs per engine
- Service Ceiling: 65,000 feet
- Weapons:
- 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon
- 12 hardpoints for missiles and bombs (AIM-120D, AGM-88, JDAM)
- Avionics: AN/APG-82 AESA radar, advanced digital electronic warfare suite
- Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon (China)
China’s Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon project, introduced over a decade ago, is nearing fruition as a new carrier-based jet.
- Type: Stealth multi-role fighter
- Max Speed: Mach 1.8 (1,944 km/h)
- Combat Range: 1,250 km
- Engines: 2 × RD-93 or WS-13E turbofans
- Thrust: 19,400 lbs per engine
- Service Ceiling: 55,000 feet
- Weapons:
- 23mm cannon
- 6 internal and 4 external hardpoints for missiles (PL-15, PL-10)
- Avionics: Advanced AESA radar, stealth shaping for reduced radar cross-section
6. Sukhoi Su-57 (Russia)
- Type: Stealth air superiority multi-role fighter
- Max Speed: Mach 2.0 (2,135 km/h)
- Combat Range: 1,500 km (combat radius)
- Engines: 2 × Saturn AL-41F1 or future Izdeliye 30 engines
- Thrust: 32,000 lbs per engine (with afterburners)
- Service Ceiling: 65,000 feet
- Weapons:
- 30mm GSh-30-1 autocannon
- 6 internal and external hardpoints (R-37M, Kh-59MK2)
- Avionics: AESA radar, L-band radars, advanced electronic warfare suite
7.KAI KF-21 Boramae (South Korea)
The KAI KF-21 Boramae, a collaboration between South Korea and Indonesia, signifies a significant leap forward for the Korean aerospace industry.
- Type: Semi-stealth multi-role fighter
- Max Speed: Mach 1.83 (1,900 km/h)
- Combat Range: 2,900 km (ferry range)
- Engines: 2 × General Electric F414-GE-400K afterburning turbofans
- Thrust: 22,000 lbs per engine
- Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet
- Weapons:
- 10 hardpoints for air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles
- (AIM-120, AGM-84, JDAM)
- Avionics: AESA radar, IRST system for air combat superiority
- Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (USA)
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor holds the distinction of being the first 5th generation fighter jet to enter service.
- Type: Stealth air superiority fighter
- Max Speed: Mach 2.25 (2,414 km/h)
- Combat Range: 850 km (combat radius)
- Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofans
- Thrust: 35,000 lbs per engine
- Service Ceiling: 65,000 feet
- Weapons:
- 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon
- 6 internal and external hardpoints (AIM-120, JDAM)
- Avionics: AN/APG-77 AESA radar, advanced stealth and electronic warfare
- Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon (China)
China’s Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon, introduced in 2017, is the country’s first 5th generation fighter jet.
- Type: Stealth air superiority fighter
- Max Speed: Mach 2.0 (2,470 km/h)
- Combat Range: 2,000 km (combat radius)
- Engines: 2 × WS-10C or WS-15 engines
- Thrust: 30,000 lbs per engine
- Service Ceiling: 66,000 feet
- Weapons:
- 23mm cannon
- 6 internal and external hardpoints (PL-15, PL-10, long-range missiles)
- Avionics: AESA radar, stealth technology, and advanced avionics for multi-role missions
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II (USA)
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stands as the pinnacle of fifth-generation fighter development, embodying the latest advancements in combat aircraft.
- Type: Stealth multi-role fighter
- Max Speed: Mach 1.6 (1,960 km/h)
- Combat Range: 1,093 km (combat radius)
- Engines: 1 × Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofan
- Thrust: 43,000 lbs
- Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet
- Weapons:
- 25mm GAU-22/A cannon
- 4 internal and 6 external hardpoints (AIM-120, JDAM, Small Diameter Bombs)
- Avionics: AN/APG-81 AESA radar, distributed aperture system (DAS), advanced stealth capabilities
