This Fighter Jet Can Hit Mach 1.6 with a Full Internal Weapons Load

24/7 Wall St. Insights

We used data from the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication.
In 2024, the DOD is projected to use 14.7% of the FY 2024 U.S. federal budget.
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In order to continue to provide for the defense of the United States and maintain global military superiority, the Department of Defense (DoD) must be able to update and improve upon its equipment. Each year, the DoD presents a budget request to Congress, defends its requests, and receives funds. These funds are then dispersed to each arm of the military and their specific programs. Part of each annual budget request includes funding for research into new equipment and technology and purchasing these items.

Fighter jets play a critical role in defense. The introduction of more powerful engines, advances in aerodynamics, and next-level software technology have turned these plans into lethal weapons for those who possess them.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication, to compile a list of the combat aircraft of the future. Arranged by how many are currently on order, we’ve also included information on aircraft types, the number in active service today, and which militaries use which aircraft.

Why Are We Covering This?

Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat

A strong military with advanced weapons technology requires taxpayer money. In 2024, the DOD is projected to use 14.7% of the FY 2024 U.S. federal budget. The U.S. Department of Defense DOD) plans to acquire thousands of F-35 aircraft within the next few decades. Projected costs for this plan have reached $1.58 trillion.

Here is a look at the combat aircraft of the future.

26. L-39NG

Total aircraft on order: 4
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries with this aircraft: Hungary

25. Su-34

Total aircraft on order: 4
Total active aircraft: 134
Militaries with this aircraft: Russia

24. IA-63

IA-63 Pampa

Total aircraft on order: 5
Total active aircraft: 10
Militaries with this aircraft: Argentina

23. J-10C

Chengdu J-10 at Zhuhai Airshow

Total aircraft on order: 7
Total active aircraft: 18
Militaries with this aircraft: Pakistan

22. AT-6

Total aircraft on order: 12
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries with this aircraft: Thailand, Tunisia

21. B-250

Total aircraft on order: 24
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries with this aircraft: United Arab Emirates

20. Hurkus C

Total aircraft on order: 24
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries with this aircraft: Turkey

19. JF-17

Total aircraft on order: 47
Total active aircraft: 128
Militaries with this aircraft: Pakistan, Myanmar

18. J-15/Su-30/33

Total aircraft on order: 50
Total active aircraft: 45
Militaries with this aircraft: China

17. Tu-160

Total aircraft on order: 50
Total active aircraft: 15
Militaries with this aircraft: Russia

16. Su-57

Total aircraft on order: 62
Total active aircraft: 14
Militaries with this aircraft: Russia

15. MiG-29/35

Total aircraft on order: 68
Total active aircraft: 302
Militaries with this aircraft: Russia, Algeria, Yemen

14. Eurofighter Typhoon

Total aircraft on order: 77
Total active aircraft: 95
Militaries with this aircraft: Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia

13. Eurofighter

Total aircraft on order: 80
Total active aircraft: 201
Militaries with this aircraft: Germany, Spain

12. FA-50 GF/PL

Total aircraft on order: 82
Total active aircraft: 2
Militaries with this aircraft: Poland, Malaysia

11. AT-802 L/U

Total aircraft on order: 87
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries with this aircraft: Kenya, United States

10. Su-27/30

Total aircraft on order: 94
Total active aircraft: 781
Militaries with this aircraft: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, India

9. B-21

The B-21 Raider was unveiled to the public at a ceremony December 2, 2022 in Palmdale, Calif. Designed to operate in tomorrow's high-end threat environment, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring America's enduring airpower capability. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Total aircraft on order: 100
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries with this aircraft: United States

8. F/A-18E/F

Total aircraft on order: 108
Total active aircraft: 421
Militaries with this aircraft: United States, Kuwait

7. F-15

Total aircraft on order: 162
Total active aircraft: 410
Militaries with this aircraft: Indonesia, Qatar, United States

6. Gripen E

Total aircraft on order: 164
Total active aircraft: 6
Militaries with this aircraft: Brazil, Sweden

5. KF-21

$User:KF-21A&action=edit&redlink=1","authorName":"KF-21A","imgSrc":"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:KF-21_prototype.jpg"}"$

Total aircraft on order: 170
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries with this aircraft: Indonesia, South Korea

4. Tejas

Total aircraft on order: 180
Total active aircraft: 32
Militaries with this aircraft: India

3. F-16 A/C/V

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility

Total aircraft on order: 237
Total active aircraft: 202
Militaries with this aircraft: Ukraine, Taiwan, Romania, Morocco

2. Rafale

Total aircraft on order: 362
Total active aircraft: 211
Militaries with this aircraft: France, Egypt, Croatia, India, United Arab Emirates

1. F-35 A/B/C/I

Italy+F-35 | 2d Audiovisual Squadron Creates Air Force Space Command Production

Total aircraft on order: 2,703
Total active aircraft: 661
Militaries with this aircraft: United States, Israel, Poland, Canada

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