Top 5 Fighter Jets in the World
Modern fighter jets are some of the most advanced machines ever built, combining stealth, speed, sensors and networking in a single airframe. So which are the best flying today? Here is our pick of the five most capable fighter jets in the world, and what makes each one special.
How we ranked them: we weighed stealth, sensors, performance, weapons, combat record and real-world availability. Many capabilities are classified, so specifications are approximate and based on public information. Rankings like this are always debatable, and that is half the fun.
What makes a great fighter?
In the past, fighter performance was all about speed and agility in a dogfight. Today, the most important qualities are situational awareness (seeing the enemy first), stealth (not being seen yourself), and networking (sharing information with other aircraft, ships and troops). Aircraft are often described in generations, with “fifth-generation” fighters combining stealth, advanced sensors and sensor fusion.
F-22 Raptor (United States)
More than two decades after entering service, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is still widely regarded as the finest air superiority fighter ever built. It combines stealth, extreme agility thanks to thrust vectoring engine nozzles, and supercruise, the ability to fly faster than sound without afterburners.
Fewer than 200 were built, and US law has blocked exports to protect its technology, so the Raptor remains exclusively American. Its main weakness is cost and the challenge of keeping an ageing, small fleet up to date.
F-35 Lightning II (United States and partners)
The F-35 is the most widespread stealth fighter in the world, with more than 1,000 built and operators across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. It comes in three versions: the F-35A for conventional runways, the F-35B with short take-off and vertical landing, and the F-35C for catapult carriers.
The UK is a major partner in the programme. The RAF and Royal Navy fly the F-35B from RAF Marham and from the aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, and British industry builds around 15% of every F-35. It is not the fastest or most agile jet on this list, but its sensors and sensor fusion give pilots exceptional situational awareness, making it a flying data hub as much as a fighter.
Eurofighter Typhoon (UK, Germany, Italy, Spain)
Built by a consortium of the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, the Typhoon is one of the most agile and powerful fighters in the world. Its delta wing and canard layout, combined with two powerful engines, gives it outstanding climb rate and manoeuvrability.
The Typhoon is the backbone of the RAF’s combat fleet and the jet scrambled for Quick Reaction Alert, ready around the clock to intercept unidentified aircraft approaching UK airspace. It has flown combat missions over Libya, Iraq and Syria, and continual upgrades, including new radar, keep it highly capable. It is not stealthy like the F-22 or F-35, but it remains a superb all-round fighter.
Dassault Rafale (France)
France’s Rafale is a true omnirole fighter: in a single mission it can perform air defence, ground attack, reconnaissance and, for France, nuclear deterrence. It operates from land bases and from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
The Rafale has an extensive combat record in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria, and has become an export success, ordered by countries including India, Egypt, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, the UAE and Indonesia. Its strength is versatility and proven reliability.
Chengdu J-20 (China)
The J-20 is China’s first operational stealth fighter and a sign of how quickly its aerospace industry has advanced. It is a large, twin-engine aircraft with long range and a big internal weapons bay, thought to be designed to strike high-value targets such as tankers and airborne early warning aircraft at long distances.
Much about the J-20 is uncertain, including the true performance of its engines and sensors. China has built it in significant numbers, and a two-seat version has been developed, making it one of the most important military aircraft in the world today.
Side by side
| Jet | Country | Generation | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-22 Raptor | USA | 5th | Air superiority, stealth, supercruise |
| F-35 Lightning II | USA and partners | 5th | Sensors, networking, widespread use |
| Eurofighter Typhoon | UK, Germany, Italy, Spain | 4.5 | Agility, climb rate, combat proven |
| Dassault Rafale | France | 4.5 | Versatility, carrier capable |
| Chengdu J-20 | China | 5th | Range, stealth, numbers |
Honourable mentions
- Sukhoi Su-57 (Russia): Russia’s stealth fighter, built in limited numbers.
- Saab Gripen E (Sweden): affordable, easy to maintain, and able to operate from roads.
- F-15EX Eagle II (USA): a modern take on a legend, with an enormous weapons load.
- KAI KF-21 Boramae (South Korea): a new generation fighter entering service in the mid-2020s.
The future: sixth-generation fighters
The next generation is already in development. The UK, Italy and Japan are working together on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), building on the UK’s Tempest project, with a target in-service date around 2035. The US has announced the F-47 for the US Air Force, and France, Germany and Spain are developing FCAS. These aircraft are expected to work alongside uncrewed drones, sharing data and tasks as a team.
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Shop giftsShop patchesFrequently asked questions
What is the best fighter jet in the world?
The F-22 Raptor is widely regarded as the best air superiority fighter, though the F-35 is more versatile and far more widely used.
What fighter jets does the UK use?
The RAF flies the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the RAF and Royal Navy jointly operate the F-35B Lightning, including from the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.
What is a fifth-generation fighter?
A fighter combining stealth, advanced sensors, sensor fusion and networking. Examples include the F-22, F-35 and J-20.
Why can’t other countries buy the F-22?
US law has prohibited its export to protect its stealth and sensor technology.
What will replace the Typhoon?
The UK is developing a sixth-generation fighter with Italy and Japan through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), aiming for service around 2035.
