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. 

Many countries use older and cheaper models of fighter jets. However, the leading armies always try to have an edge over their adversaries and procure state-of-the-art equipment. 

The more advanced the jet is, the more effective it can be at performing its role. So, the latest technologies are often used on fighter aircraft. Powerful engines, complex weapons systems, and sophisticated radars allow these machines to be truly multi-role. 

Some of these aircraft employ thrust vectoring engine nozzles for additional maneuverability, while others make use of stealth designs to reduce their radar and heat signature. The latest and most advanced fighter jets feature complex computers and communication links to process and share data. 

But which fighter jets are the best? Let精东影业 try to analyze their features and find out. 

精东影业 has only included jets that have already flown. Aircraft such as 搁耻蝉蝉颈补精东影业 Sukhoi Checkmate, India精东影业 HAL AMCA, or 罢耻谤办别测精东影业 TAI TF-X now known as TF-X KAAN have yet to take flight, while sixth-generation jets like the NGAD, the FCAS, and the Tempest among others are still in the design phase. 

Without further ado, here are 精东影业精东影业 Top 10 best fighter jets in the world in 2024!聽

10. Sukhoi Su-35S 

The Russian Sukhoi Su-30, Su-35, and Su-37, along with the Chinese Shenyang J-16, are all based on the celebrated Su-27 platform, with various upgrades offering 4.5 generation capabilities. Each jet has a number of variants and modifications. 

But the Su-35S could be considered the ultimate version of them all. It features the latest electronics systems to be produced by Russia, as well as numerous improvements to the fuselage. Its signature characteristic is the thrust-vectoring engine nozzles, which can turn in any direction, making the aircraft extremely maneuverable, so much so that it does not even require canards, a feature that became a staple on earlier Su-30 and Su-35 variants. 

9. Eurofighter Typhoon 

As its name implies, the Eurofighter Typhoon was designed to be a joint European fighter jet. It boasts an impressive performance and advanced technology. However, it has received a lot of attention from outside Europe and is now used by some of the strongest air forces across the continent and in the Middle East, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. 

And there are good reasons for that. The Typhoon is one of the most advanced and powerful 4th generation jets, and its latest variant, the Tranche 3, employs the newest technologies. An even more advanced Tranche 4 was introduced in 2020, improving the electronics and weapons systems featured in Tranche 3. 

8. Dassault Rafale 

The Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon are quite similar, not least because they began development as one aircraft. However, in the mid-1980s France decided to divide the program and create a separate fighter for its own needs. 

Unlike the Typhoon, a variant of the Rafale exists that can land on an aircraft carrier. It is also certified to carry air-launched nuclear weapons.

France also upgrades its Rafale constantly. The F3 is the latest variant and includes the latest weapons systems and sensors. 

The Rafale 4 is currently under development and will include further improvements to its radar and avionics systems. France, the United Arab Emirates, India, and a host of other customers will begin to receive delivery of this variant in the near future, while many older variants will be upgraded. 

7. Boeing F-15EX Eagle II 

The Boeing F-15 Eagle was one of the first 4th generation fighter jets. Sometimes it is hard to believe that this jet celebrated its 52nd birthday in 2024.聽

However, it still remains a potent war machine. It is the only fighter jet in the world to score more than 100 air-to-air kills and experience no air-to-air losses. It has also been continuously upgraded, with its new variants featuring the most advanced technologies. 

The F-15EX Eagle II, developed by Boeing, is the latest variant of the jet. The aircraft features a new radar, updated avionics, and advanced weapons systems, as well as countless other improvements, ensuring its relevance in contemporary aerial warfare. 

6. Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon 

China’s Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon project initially introduced over a decade ago, is now close to fruition. Although the FC-31 is yet to be unveiled, the jet, under different designations, is close to becoming China精东影业 new carrier-based jet.

Although exact capabilities remain largely classified, recent images show the FC-31 with redesigned engine housing, a new canopy, and many other intriguing upgrades. 

5. Sukhoi Su-57 

The Sukhoi Su-57 Felon is 搁耻蝉蝉颈补精东影业 first stealth aircraft. However, its development was slowed due to numerous problems and delays and, although initially planned to become operational years ago, it only exists in small quantities. 

In the coming years, the Su-57 is poised to to further enhance its performance and various other upgrades. It is a heavy fighter with low-speed maneuverability, as well as stealth characteristics and advanced radar systems. 

4. KAI KF-21 Boramae 

The KAI KF-21 Boramae, produced by South Korea in partnership with Indonesia, represents a significant leap in the Korean aerospace industry. This jet incorporates stealth features, an advanced AESA radar system, and some technologies based on the F-35, putting it somewhere between a 4.5 and 5th-generation fighter.  

The first KF-21 conducted its maiden flight in July 2022, and several more prototypes are currently in production and undergoing testing at KAI. The company aims to start delivering these jets to the military in 2026. 

The Boramae is also set to receive additional improvements in the near future. Further variants, with internal weapons bays and improved sensors to enhance its stealth capability, along with an integrated electronic warfare system to boost its survivability in combat, and make it a true 5th-generation fighter jet. 

3. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor 

The F-22 is the first-ever 5th generation fighter jet to enter service, and the first fighter to include stealth features. Its thrust-vectoring engines and advanced weapons systems give it an edge at close-range dogfighting, and it also has powerful sensors for beyond-visual range. 

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the only service to operate the F-22, as it was deemed too advanced to be handed over to another country. However, the F-22 was regularly deployed abroad where it has been used in multiple combat missions, proving its worth. 

The USAF is also continuously upgrading its Raptors, which means that, despite being first designed more than two decades ago, they remain some of the most advanced aircraft in the world. 

2. Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon 

China精东影业 first 5th generation fighter jet , the J-20 Mighty Dragon, is a heavy, powerful fighter designed to rival the F-22 and the Su-57. It is a step forward in Chinese fighter jet development, bringing advanced avionics, and superior performance to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). It might not be as maneuverable as its counterparts without the thrust-vectored engine exhausts, but the stealthy design of the Chengdu J-20 is still incredibly advanced. 

While the exact characteristics of this aircraft are classified, ongoing enhancements ensure that it continues to pose a threat in aerial warfare. are currently in development, including a . A new, is also currently being tested on this aircraft. China remains tight-lipped about the J-20’s exact capabilities.

1. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II 

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is the pinnacle of the United States’ fifth-generation fighter development. Ever since entering production in 2006, the F-35 has embodied the latest in combat aircraft development. It boasts unmatched stealth features, sensor fusion, the world精东影业 most powerful fighter engine, data networking capabilities, and the most advanced radar. Its pilots even use a special augmented reality helmet that offers them unprecedented levels of situational awareness. 

This jet is said to take its all-aspect stealth and sensor fusion to the max, making it almost unbeatable in beyond-visual-range combat. Furthermore, it can hold its own in good old dogfights too. In 2017, during the model精东影业 first Red Flag exercise, the , meaning that it won 20 engagements for each one it lost. Such an advantage is mostly the result of the F-35精东影业 unprecedented situational awareness. The aircraft can track and attack targets in all directions, so, getting on the F-35精东影业 tail does not mean you are safe from its missiles. 

The F-35 also has three distinct variants: the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A, which works as your regular fighter jet; the F-35B, which has vertical take-off and landing ability; and the carrier variant F-35C, designed to land on aircraft carriers. 

Initially, this jet experienced several developmental problems and, despite being intended as a cheap alternative to the F-22, quickly became the most expensive weapons system in the world. However, with the cost of the new F-35s dropping and the deficiencies being ironed out, more and more countries are ordering F-35s, making it an export success. 

These ten fighter jets represent the pinnacle of aerial warfare in 2024, each one a marvel of technology and engineering. Their advanced capabilities in speed, firepower, stealth, and maneuverability allow them to dominate in contemporary air-to-air and air-to-ground combat scenarios.

What are some other advanced fighter jets? 

This list features American, Chinese, Korean, and Russian aircraft. However, many other countries manufacture their own fighter jets. 

While they may have not made the cut to appear on our 2024 list, some of these jets are still incredibly advanced, so we would like to give them a special mention.聽

• The鈥�Saab JAS 39 Gripen E, the newest Swedish fighter jet, very nearly made this list. It is a monumental upgrade to older variants of the Gripen, featuring a new engine, electronics, and weapons. 
• 罢丑别鈥�HAL Tejas鈥�is India精东影业 home-grown 4th generation light fighter and includes many advanced features. India is also close to testing the Mk2 variant, which boasts an even better performance. 
• 罢丑别鈥�PAC JF-17 Thunder鈥痠s a joint production between China and Pakistan, and a light and nimble successor to the legendary MiG-21. 
• The鈥疞ockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, in its latest Block 70/72 variant, features the newest electronics and weapons, and is a great improvement on this legendary light fighter. 

The incident occurred during a nighttime intercept on October 24, 2023.

According to the Pentagon, the Chinese pilot flew the Shenyang J-11 twin-engine fighter 鈥渋n an unsafe and unprofessional manner” and “demonstrated poor airmanship by closing with uncontrolled excessive speed.”

“We are concerned this pilot was unaware of how close he came to causing a collision,” the US military stated, adding: 鈥淢ilitary aircraft, when intentionally approaching another, shall operate with professional airmanship and give due regard for the safety of other aircraft.鈥� 

The US Indo-Pacific Command released footage of the video, which it uploaded to social media.

The video shows how dangerously close the two aircraft came to making contact with one another.

The US Department of Defense claims that there have been more than 180 instancesof Chinese military aircraft flying dangerously close to US aircraft since 2021.

US President Joe Biden is expected to speak with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi when he visits the White House on October 27, 2023, as per a .

This latest incident comes just days after China expressed its disapproval of the presence of US aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in Southeast Asia, describing the US as a 鈥榯roublemaker鈥� in the region.

China incensed at presence of carrier USS Ronald Reagan in Southeast Asia

• Defense

byJean Carmela Lim

October 24, 2023

Though the exact model of this mysterious military aircraft was not specified, it is of 鈥済reat strategic and historical significance,鈥� Ge Heping, the head of the flight test center, said during a staff meeting as reported by the local media outlet . 

The news led many to speculate that the aircraft could be the H-20 bomber.  

The Xian H-20 is described as a stealth strategic bomber capable of carrying hypersonic missiles over 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles). Presented as an answer to the United States Air Force B-2 Spirit and future B-21 Raider due to its similar flying wing design, the H-20 is due to replace the Xian H-6, a Chinese license-built variant of the Soviet Tu-16 Badger.  

In the past few years, the H-6 was seen regularly testing the readiness of Taiwan, entering the island country精东影业 air defense identification zone (ADIZ). 

Taiwan intercepts nuclear-capable Chinese flight group

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

September 6, 2021

Other candidates? 

However, an anonymous expert quoted by the Chinese state-controlled tabloid  asserted that there are other candidates of 鈥渟trategic鈥� importance. 

Among them, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation is developing a carrier-based fifth-generation fighter jet based on its FC-31 鈥淕yrfalcon鈥�. After being rejected by the PLAAF, which preferred its competitor, the Chengdu J-20 鈥淢ighty Dragon鈥�, the FC-31 is expected to find a second life as the preferred aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).  

Currently, the sole Chinese carrier-capable fighter is the Shenyang J-15. But that local version of the Russian Sukhoi Su-33 cannot be catapulted and thus needs a ski-ramp to operate, limiting its weight and range. 

Renamed J-35 for the occasion, the fifth-generation fighter is expected to operate from the CNS Fujian, China精东影业 third aircraft carrier, and the first to sport a flat deck and a catapult launch system (CATOBAR). 
 

Could China精东影业 aircraft carriers dethrone the US Navy?

• Aviation in China

byClement Charpentreau

February 15, 2021

During the interception, which took place on May 26, 2022, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) fighter engaged in a dangerous maneuver 鈥渨hich posed a safety threat to the P-8 aircraft and its crew,鈥� the Australian Department of Defence on June 5, 2022. 

Speaking to local channel , Australia’s recently appointed Defence Minister, Richard Marles explained that the Chinese J-16 positioned itself ahead of the patroller精东影业 nose before releasing chaff, a countermeasure made of aluminum-coated fiberglass intended to deceive radar targeting. Some of the fragments were ingested into the engine of the P-8 aircraft, the minister explained. 

A formal diplomatic complaint was sent to the Chinese authorities by the Australian government.  

It is the second time in a week that a western government expressed concerns about the behavior of a PLAAF fighter. On June 1, 2022, the Canadian Armed Forces said its United Nations-sanctioned CP-140 Aurora air patrols around North Korea were buzzed by Chinese planes in ways that 鈥渄id not adhere to international air safety norms鈥�. 

Chinese jets fly 鈥渄angerously close鈥� to Canadian air patrols

• Defense

byValius Venckunas

June 3, 2022

According to Taiwan精东影业 Ministry of National Defense (MND), the following Chinese military aircraft flew into the southwest corner of Taiwan精东影业 ADIZ on January 4, 2022:

• Five People精东影业 Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Shenyang J-16 fighter jets

• One Shaanxi Y-8 electronic warfare plane; and

• One  Y-8 anti-submarine warfare

In response, Taiwan sent aircraft, broadcast radio warnings, and deployed air defense missile systems to track the Chinese planes.

During the month of January 2022 alone, nine Chinese aircraft (five fighter jets and four spotter planes) have already been spotted in Taiwan精东影业 ADIZ. In December 2021, a total of 86 PLAAF aircraft were spotted in the ADIZ, including 48 fighters, two bombers, and 36 turboprops.

Since September 2021, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by routinely sending aircraft into Taiwan精东影业 ADIZ. Gray zone tactics have been defined as “an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one精东影业 security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force鈥�.

In a New Years鈥� speech delivered on January 1, 2022, Taiwan president Tsai Ing-Wen .

“We must remind the Beijing authorities to not misjudge the situation and to prevent the internal expansion of ‘military adventurism’,” Tsai said in the speech, which was broadcasted live on Facebook.

鈥淭he use of military means is absolutely not an option for resolving the differences between our two sides.鈥�

She said that to ease tension in the region, both Taipei and Beijing must 鈥渨ork hard to take care of people精东影业 livelihoods and calm the hearts of the people鈥� in order to find peaceful solutions to problems together.

In his , Chinese president Xi Jinping said that the complete unification of “the motherland” was an aspiration shared by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, referring to Taiwan, which it considers “sacred” territory.

Taiwan deploys the F-16V, its latest and most advanced jet to date

• Defense

byValius Venckunas

November 18, 2021

Currently, the sole Chinese fighter able to operate from an aircraft carrier is the Shenyang J-15 鈥淔lying Shark鈥�. But that local version of the Russian Sukhoi Su-33, based on the Soviet Su-27 designed in the 1980s, hardly stands a chance against the F-35C of the US Navy, the F35B of the British Royal Navy, or even the Rafale Marine of the French Navy. Thus, with the Chinese Navy commissioning at least three new aircraft carriers in the span of ten years, it needed a new carrier-capable aircraft.

Could China精东影业 aircraft carriers dethrone the US Navy?

• Aviation in China

byClement Charpentreau

February 15, 2021

Story of a second chance

The Chinese authorities might have finally set their heart on a candidate. On March 30, 2021, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation confirmed that the development of a carrier-based 5th generation fighter would be accelerated in 2021. Attached to the statement was a photograph showing an FC-31, the only 5th generation fighter developed by the company. 

In 2019, the Shenyang FC-31 鈥淕yrfalcon鈥� was rejected by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), which preferred its competitor, the Chengdu J-20 鈥淢ighty Dragon鈥�. Since then, both were reportedly considered for a maritime conversion. But being lighter and smaller than the J-20, the FC-31 seems like a better fit for a carrier.

In order to sustain the physical constraints of a catapult launch and an arrested landing, the FC-31 will likely have to see its airframe and landing gear reinforced. New material will also have to be used to avoid the accelerated corrosion of a saline environment. 

So far, no prototype of the FC-31 has been seen in this version. The last appearance of the FC-31 dates back to September 2020, when pictures of an upgraded and refurbished prototype of the Gyrfalcon emerged on Chinese social media, hinting that Shenyang was still actively working on its aircraft. 

Photo of new FC-31 Chinese stealth jet prototype emerges

• Defense

byValius Venckunas

September 8, 2020