Since the end of World War II, fighter jets have been essential in military operations and national defense plans. The F-35 Lightning II, seen as the cutting-edge jet, is being produced rapidly, especially in light of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Consequently, NATO allies are buying these planes to build their air forces up to some of the most powerful in the world.
Out of the many fighter jets produced during the past years, several have stood out and remain in service even after fifty years. The ranking was determined by the number of units actively used by armed forces worldwide. Topping this list is the F-16 Fighting Falcon, originally developed by General Dynamics and currently produced by Lockheed Martin.
Since its debut in 1978, the F-16 has become a mainstay of air forces worldwide due to its renowned maneuverability, speed, and light construction. Its versatility has made it the chief aircraft of NATO, which is currently used by more than 25 air forces.
On the other side of the world, the Su-27 Flanker was introduced by the Soviet Union in 1985 to counter the United States’ F-15 Eagle. Developed by Sukhoi, the Su-27 plays multiple operational roles and is in service in more than ten other air forces, including China, Vietnam, Ukraine, and Russia. With exceptional dogfighting capabilities, the Su-27 was later upgraded to include ground attack and electronic warfare capabilities. Presently, over 1,100 Su-27s are operational worldwide. Notably, most of the aircraft on this list originate from the United States and Russia (or the former Soviet Union). The majority were produced during the Cold War and were part of the military buildup on both sides. Following the end of the Cold War, there was a surplus of military supplies, including aircraft, which were sold to allies of the United States and Russia, explaining the widespread proliferation of these arms across the globe.
The fighter jets listed here have demonstrated their effectiveness in conflicts globally, earning iconic status within many militaries for their lethality, speed, and firepower.
- F-16 Fighting Falcon
Number of jets in service as of 2023: 2,184
Manufactured by: Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics
Role: Multirole fighter, air superiority fighter
First flight: 1978
Initially used by: the United States
Operators: Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Venezuela
Notable variants: F-16 A/B/C/D/E
A collaborative effort by NATO countries and the U.S., the F-16 Fighting Falcon is a low-cost, highly maneuverable multirole aircraft. Proven in combat, it can withstand nine times the force of gravity, exceeding other fighter aircraft. Deployed in conflicts worldwide, it remains a cornerstone in modern air forces. - Sukhoi Su-27/30/33/34/35/37/Shenyang J-11
Number of jets in service as of 2023: 1,187 + 440 (Shenyang J-11)
Manufactured by: United Aircraft Corporation, Sukhoi OKB
First flight: 1985
Initially used by: Soviet Union
Operators: Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Belarus, China, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam
Notable variants: Su-27 Flanker, Su-34 Fullback
Developed to challenge the American F-15, the Su-27, entering service in 1985, is known for its capability, reliability, and formidable armament. Variants, including those used in China, showcase its versatility as an escort fighter with air-to-air missiles. - F-15 Eagle
Number of jets in service as of 2023: 961
Manufactured by: Boeing, McDonnell Douglas
First flight: 1976
Initially used by: United States
Notable variants: F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15K Slam Eagle, F-15I Ra’am
Known for superior acceleration and maneuverability, the F-15 Eagle, introduced in the mid-1970s, features a high thrust-to-weight ratio. Its dual-role variant, the F-15E Strike Eagle, performs air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The targeting pod allows marking enemies at great distances. - F/A-18 Hornet
Number of jets in service as of 2023: 828
Manufactured by: Boeing, Northrop Grumman, McDonnell Douglas
First flight: 1978
Initially used by: United States
Notable variants: F/A-18E Super Hornet, Growler
The F/A-18 Hornet, America’s first all-weather twin-engine fighter and attack aircraft, entered service in 1983. Proving its worth in Operation Desert Storm, it showcased survivability and versatility. Used by various countries, it is also part of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstrations. - Mikoyan MiG-29
Number of jets in service as of 2023: 822
Manufactured by: United Aircraft Corporation, Mikoyan OKB
First flight: 1977
Initially used by: Soviet Union
Operators: Belarus, Bulgaria, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Cuba, Peru
Notable variants: MiG-29 Fulcrum A/B/C/D/E/F
The Soviet MiG-29, entering service in 1982, was designed to oppose American-made F-15 and F-16. Used by over 30 countries, it has evolved from an air-to-air role to a multirole fighter, equipped for air-to-surface armaments and precision munitions. - F-35 Lightning II
Number of jets in service as of 2023: 545
Manufactured by: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAe Systems
First flight: 2006
Initially used by: United States
Notable variants: F-35 Lightning II A/B/C
Operators: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Switzerland, United States
Touted as “the centerpiece of 21st century global security,” the F-35 Lightning II by Lockheed Martin is a fifth-generation aircraft with stealth technology, advanced sensors, and network connectivity. Known for its data collection, analysis, and sharing capabilities, it is flown by the U.S. and 14 international allies. - Eurofighter Typhoon
Number of jets in service as of 2023: 522
Manufactured by: BAe Systems, EADS, Alenia
First flight: 1986
Initially used by: Germany
Operators: Austria, Germany, Italy, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, United Kingdom
Notable variants: Typhoon F1, Typhoon T1
Developed by a European consortium, Eurofighter Typhoon is a multirole aircraft designed for ground attack and air defense. Despite initial disputes, it has become one of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft, featuring advanced technology and capabilities. - Su-25 Grach Frogfoot
Number of jets in service as of 2023: 480
Manufactured by: Sukhoi OKB
First flight: 1972
Initially used by: Soviet Union
Operators: Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Gambia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Niger, North Korea, Peru, Russia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Notable variants: Su-25 Frogfoot-A, Su-25KM Scorpion
The Su-25, from the Soviet Union, provides close air support for ground forces. Involved in conflicts since the early 1970s, it played a significant role in the Soviet war in Afghanistan and subsequent conflicts. The Russian air force operates the largest number of Su-25s, with plans for upgrades. - Chengdu J-7
Number of jets in service as of 2023: 444
Manufactured by: Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Chengdu
First flight: 1966
Initially used by: China
Operators: Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Iran, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zimbabwe
Notable variants: J-7 I/II/III
China’s Chengdu J-7 (a license-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21) a single-engine lightweight fighter by Chengdu Aircraft Corp.. Over 2,400 J-7s were built from 1996 to 2013. Chengdu Aircraft produced two types of J-7 variants, a domestic Chinese version, and an export variant, with about 26 export variants in operation worldwide. - F-5 Freedom Fighter
Number of jets in service as of 2023: 403
Manufactured by: Northrop Grumman
First flight: 1963
Initially used by: United States
Operators: Bahrain, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Iran, Kenya, South Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Yemen
Notable variants: F-5E Tiger II
Since its 1963 introduction, the F-5 by Northrop Grumman has proven to be a reliable, economical, and highly maneuverable jet fighter. More than 2,600 were built until production ceased in 1989. About two-thirds of the original production aircraft operate in 26 countries, including the United States.
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