Today, they are significantly more complex and advanced than they were during the time of the world conflicts. Now, we have fifth-generation fighter aircraft that can cruise at supersonic speeds and are equipped with radar-evading stealth technology.
Top 10 most expensive fighter jets in the world: Fighter jets are the most sophisticated, potent, and technologically advanced aircraft.
The price list for this article includes only the cost of the aircraft itself, excluding development, maintenance, and other associated expenditures. A jet’s “ticket price” is negotiable and thus subject to variation. With one exception, it is important to observe that our list only includes the most expensive variant of each model.
When we hear the term fighter aircraft, an image of a magnificent war machine flying faster than the speed of sound immediately comes to mind. Fighter aircraft are continuously evolving. Today, they are significantly more complex and advanced than they were during the time of the world conflicts. Now, we have fifth-generation fighter aircraft that can cruise at supersonic speeds and are equipped with radar-evading stealth technology.
Without further ado, let’s examine the cost of the Top 10 most expensive fighter aircraft in 2023!
Origin Country– Sweden
Producer- Saab AB
Initial Flight – 9th December 1988
Primary users- Swedish Air Force, South African Air Force, Brazilian Air Force, and Czech Air Force
Air-to-Air missiles- AIM-9 Sidewinder and MBDA Meteor
Price range: $40 to $45 million
The JAS 39 Gripen from Saab, Sweden, is a small, nimble, and dangerous aircraft. It is a fighter of the fourth generation with a delta wing and canard configuration. The fighter jet is also outfitted with cutting-edge features such as fly-by-wire flight controls, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and so on. The cost of a Gripen aircraft ranges between $40 and $45 million per aircraft. Currently, the Swedish Air Force, South African Air Force, Brazilian Air Force, and Czech Air Force all operate SAAB JAS 39 Gripen aircraft.
Origin Country – India
Initial Flight- January 17, 2015
Producer- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Principal Users – Indian Air Force Air-to-Air Missile Astra Mark 1, 2, 3, Derby, Python – 5, R – 73.
Price approximation – Approximately $43 million
Despite the fact that the Mk 1a variant of LCA Tejas is still in development, HAL has already offered it to various Air forces around the globe, including the Malaysian Air Force, the Argentine Air Force, etc. In addition, the Indian air force has already ordered 83 LCA Mark 1a aircraft. The Tejas Mark 1a also utilizes a delta wing configuration. It is frequently regarded as the world’s lightest fighter aircraft. In terms of its configuration, this aircraft is propelled by a single engine. In addition, it is equipped with an AESA radar. The estimated price per aircraft for Tejas Mk 1a is approximately $43 million
China sending fighter jets to Thailand for joint exercises
Origin Country- Multinational Development
Producer- Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH
Initial Flight- March 27, 1994
Air to Air Missile: AIM-120 AMRAAM, MBDA Meteor, AIM-132 ASRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder
Primary Users: Royal Air Force, German Air Force, Italian Air Force, and Spanish Air Force
Price estimate: $105 million
Top 10 most expensive fighter jets in the world: The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multirole, twin-engine fighter aircraft designed for Air to Air and Air to ground missions. This aircraft is the culmination of the collaboration of several European companies, including Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. During the military intervention in Libya in 2011, the Eurofighter Typhoon participated in aerial reconnaissance and ground attack missions. The Typhoon was also one of the finalists in the Indian Air Force’s MMRCA competition.
Origin Country- Russia
Producer- Sukhoi Design Bureau
Initial Flight- February 19, 2008
Air to Air Missile: R-27ER, R-77M/P/T, R-74, and R-40
Primary Users: Russian Air Force, People’s Liberation Army Air Force, and Egyptian Air Force
Price approximation – $65 million
Su 35 is the newest variant of Sukhoi Design Bureau’s renowned flanker series of fighter aircraft. Su 35 is primarily utilized by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force of China, the Russian Air Force, the Egyptian Air Force, and the Indonesian Air Force. This aircraft is a derivative of the Su-27 fighter jet manufactured by the same company. Su 30 MKI, a comparable aircraft with a few differences in avionics and armament used by the Indian Air Force. Flanker E is classified as a fighter of the 4.5th generation and costs approximately $65 million per aircraft.
Origin Country– United States of America
Producer- McDonnell Douglas
Initial Flight: November 29, 1995
Air to Air Missile Primary Users – United States Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Kuwait Air Force AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-7 Sparrow
Price approximation: $79,8 million per aircraft
F/A 18E/F The Super Hornet is one of our most versatile aircraft. This aircraft can reach a speed of Mach 1.6 thanks to its two General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans. According to numerous experts, the Super hornet is the world’s finest carrier-based multirole fighter. This aircraft is an updated McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. In terms of pricing, the F/A 18E/F Super Hornet costs approximately $79.8 million.
Origin Country – France
Producer- Dassault Aviation
Initial Flight of the Rafale A on July 4, 1986, and the Rafale C on May 19, 1991.
Air to Air Missile: MBDA Meteor, MBDA MICA IR, Magic II
Primary Users: French Air and Space Force, Indian Air Force, Egyptian Air Force, Qatar Air Force
Price estimate: approximately $108 million
Top 10 most expensive fighter jets in the world: Dassault Rafale is one of the most expensive fighter aircraft in the world. It was developed in one of the most expensive countries on the planet. This aircraft has a canard delta wing configuration. According to numerous analysts, Rafale is the successor to the 1980s-era Dassault Aviation fighter Mirage 2000. The cost of Rafale varies between countries. Clearly, the French Air Force purchases them for a significantly lower price. Recently, the Indian Air Force finalized a controversial purchase of these aircraft. Nevertheless, the Rafale jets manufactured by Dassault are among the most expensive in the globe.
Origin Country – China
Manufacturer: Chengdu Aerospace Corporation
Initial flight: January 11, 2011
People’s Liberation Army Air Force Air-to-Air Missile – PL-9, PL-12C/D & PL-15 – PL-21.
Price estimate: $110 million
Chengdu Aerospace Corporation’s J-20 fighter jet is also known as “Mighty Dragon.” Chengdu Aerospace identifies this aircraft as the third operational fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft, following the F-22 and the F-35. According to some experts, it is also the cheapest fighter aircraft of the fifth generation in the world. Due to its canards, the former IAF chief criticized this aircraft and refused to designate it as a legitimate fifth-generation fighter plane. In addition, it cannot supercruise (fly at supersonic velocities without the use of afterburners). Still, the J-20 is very expensive and ranks third on our list of the world’s most expensive fighter aircraft.
Origin Country– United States of America
Producer- Lockheed Martin
Initial Flight– December 15, 2006
Pime Users- United States Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Belgian Air Component, Israeli Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Italian Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, United Arab Emirates Air Force, Royal Air Force
Air to Air Missile – AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, AIM-132 ASRAAM, MBDA Meteor
Price approximation: $152 million
The Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine, multirole, stealth fighter aircraft. Lockheed Martin is the primary manufacturer of this magnificent aircraft. However, the development of F-35C Lightning II also utilizes the expertise of companies from numerous other countries, such as Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. This fighter aircraft was funded by the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Italy, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Turkey (previously). Currently, this aircraft costs approximately $121 million.
Origin Country – United States of America
Initial Flight– September 7, 1997.
Manufacturers: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
Primary Users – United States Air Force AIM-120 AMRAAM Air-to-Air Missile
Price approximation: $152 million
We have maintained the F-22 Raptor’s position as the most expensive and exclusive fighter aircraft in the world in 2023. This fighter aircraft is used exclusively by the United States of America. The F-22 offers the United States Air Force unparalleled air superiority. The F-22 raptor, which is powered by two engines, is considered the finest fighter jet in the world despite its exorbitant cost. In order to protect its stealth technology and classified features, the US federal government prohibits the export of this aircraft for this purpose.
Origin: China/Pakistan
Manufacturer: Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
First Flight: August 25, 2003
Primary users- Pakistan Air Force, Myanmar Air Force, and Nigeria Air Force
Air-to-Air Missile– PL-5E, PL-9C, and PL-10
Price estimate: $45 million Approx.
Top 10 most expensive fighter jets in the world: JF 17 Thunder is a Multirole combat fighter aircraft developed jointly by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Numerous Air forces, such as the Pakistan Air Force, Myanmar Air Force, and Nigeria Air Force, have already adopted the JF 17 Thunder. Although China is a co-developer of this aircraft, its Air Force (PLAAF) does not utilize it. The avionics and weaponry of the impending JF 17 Thunder variant, JF 17 Block 3, will be updated to be ultramodern.
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