Aerial combat is a high-tech, very expensive, and costly project. Several countries allocate billions of dollars for the development and production of the most advanced, fastest, and heavily armed aircraft in order to maintain their supremacy in the air. In the list below, there are the ten most expensive fighter jets that are still in use in 2024, starting from the least expensive ones and going towards the most powerful ones.
10. Shenyang FC-31/J-35 – $70 Million
The Shenyang FC-31, J-31, or “Gyrfalcon,” is a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed to be versatile and exportable. Twin engines, a sleek radar-evasion shape, and an internal bay for weaponry put it on par with top Western aircraft at a small fraction of the cost. Its J-35 carrier-capable naval version starts at $70 to $85 million based on configuration, making it one of the cheaper stealth fighters on the international market.
9. Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet – $73 Million
The F/A-18 Super Hornet forms the core of the Navy carrier air wings. A development of the old Hornet, it features more fuel, longer range, and higher payload. It comes in the form of a single-seater (E) or double-seater (F) version and is priced at approximately $73 million, with the electronic warfare model E/A-18G Growler commanding a higher price tag. Since it replaced the F-14 Tomcat in 2001, it has served as a steady multirole fighter for the U.S. and its allies.
8. Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen – $85 Million
Sweden’s Gripen E/F is small, nimble, and loaded with cutting-edge electronics. The latest models come with AESA radar, increased range, greater payload, and contemporary electronic warfare. Low operating cost and easy maintenance render it appealing to smaller air forces who want modern performance without outrageous expense. Each one is currently valued at about $85 million, down from initial projections of more than $100 million.
7. Sukhoi Su-35 – $85 Million
Russia’s top 4.5-generation fighter, the Su-35, is a direct descendant of the Su-27 Flanker. Equipped with thrust-vectoring engines, advanced avionics, and phenomenal maneuverability, it is a dogfighting machine. Not as stealthy as fifth-generation aircraft, but raw power and maneuverability make it a threat. Prices are usually around $85 million, although end costs are based on customer requirements and configurations.
6. Boeing F-15EX Eagle II – $97 Million
The F-15EX Eagle II updates one of the classics of aviation design. Able to fly at Mach 2.5 and carry over 13 tons of bombs and missiles, it serves as a “missile truck” backing up more stealthy planes. Originally projected to cost less than $80 million, added features and inflation drove the price to roughly $97 million. Its strength and reduced maintenance requirements mean it will be flying for decades to come.
5. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II – $109 Million
It is the world’s most cutting-edge fighter and costliest weapons program ever, with an estimated lifetime price of $1.7 trillion. It has three variants: F-35A for traditional runways, F-35C for carriers, and F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing capability. F-35B is the most costly, at about $109 million per plane. Stealth, sensor fusion, and cutting-edge networking make it the hub of allied air power.
4. Eurofighter Typhoon – $117 Million
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a joint UK, German, Italian, and Spanish project. This twin-engine fighter has a Mach 2-plus speed and a thrust-to-weight ratio of close to 1:1. Its advanced AESA radar, infrared search-and-track system, and defensive suite make it capable of air superiority and strike missions. The export price is around $117 million, though partner countries pay less.
3. Dassault Rafale – $125 Million
France’s Rafale is highly adaptable, with strengths in air-to-air combat, strike missions, and nuclear deterrence. Its delta-canard configuration offers agility, and the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite boosts survivability. The Rafale can supercruise and operate on carriers, and it has a price tag of about $125 million per aircraft. Major export contracts, such as the UAE’s purchase of 80 aircraft, reflect its global popularity.
2. Chengdu J-20 – $110 Million
The J-20 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter capable of long-range missions. Radar-absorbing materials, internal weapon bays, and a canard-delta design reduce its radar cross-section. Later variants include indigenous engines capable of supercruise and future thrust vectoring. The cost of each unit is approximately $110 million, which makes it one of the most advanced flying combatants today.
1. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor – $143 Million
When it comes to dominating in the air, the F-22 Raptor is still at the top of the list. With its advanced stealth, thrust vectoring engines, and supercruise capability at Mach 1.8, it is unbeatable in the air. The flyaway cost is $143 million, but after adding R&D, each aircraft is worth over $350 million. The production was limited to 195, and U.S. law prohibits the sale of Raptor to other countries to protect its advanced technology.
These aircraft set the standard for aerospace engineering, from their record-breaking maneuverability to cutting-edge stealth. However, in the present era, air superiority is not a question of speed or firepower but rather who can afford to invest in the technology that gives control over the skies.