A nation’s military strength is based on several contributing factors, one of them being combat-ready aircraft. The best combat craft take to the skies to defend and protect. They are capable of soaring at high speeds and firing accurate strikes on enemy troops. Other roles include inconspicuously gathering intelligence to aid in the fight against enemy nations. These planes are superior to other aircraft; they are able to respond to any threat extremely quickly.
Though such fighter aircraft have been around for decades, they are much more advanced than in the days of WWII. Modern day aircraft systems allow for pilots to zero in on targets at greater distances. Additionally, stealth technology has evolved to be highly advanced, making these craft difficult for enemies to spot on radar. This allows them to fly into foreign territory undetected. Overall, these craft have continued to transform, becoming more adaptable and deadly vehicles.
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?
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
- Total aircraft on order: 5
- Total active aircraft: 10
- Militaries with this aircraft: Argentina
23. J-10C
- 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
- 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
![](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/KAI-KF-21-Boramae-1.jpg "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
- 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
- Total aircraft on order: 2,703
- Total active aircraft: 661
- Militaries with this aircraft: United States, Israel, Poland, Canada
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