“Fighter jet” is a category of military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat, so when people ask about the “best fighter jet,” they usually mean which specific model excels most in speed, maneuverability, stealth, weapons, and technology.
There’s no absolute “best” because different fighter jets have different strengths depending on their design purpose, but here are a few top contenders often considered the best fighter jets in the world today:
- F-22 Raptor (USA): Known for its stealth, supercruise capability, and unmatched air dominance. It’s widely regarded as the world’s premier air superiority fighter.
- F-35 Lightning II (USA): A multirole stealth fighter with advanced sensors and networking, excelling in versatility.
- Sukhoi Su-57 (Russia): Russia’s stealth fifth-gen fighter with strong maneuverability and weapons.
- Chengdu J-20 (China): China’s stealth fighter focused on long-range missions.
F-22 Raptor (USA)
The F-22 Raptor, developed by Lockheed Martin, is widely considered the premier air superiority fighter in the world. It is a fifth-generation stealth aircraft designed primarily for gaining and maintaining air dominance. Its most notable features include advanced stealth technology that makes it extremely hard to detect on radar, supercruise capability (ability to fly at supersonic speeds without afterburners), and exceptional maneuverability. The F-22 is equipped with cutting-edge avionics and sensor fusion, allowing pilots to have unparalleled situational awareness. It excels in dogfighting, beyond-visual-range combat, and survivability. However, it is expensive to build and maintain, and its production was limited to just over 180 aircraft.
F-35 Lightning II (USA)
Also built by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 Lightning II is a versatile fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter. It comes in three variants: the F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing), F-35B (short takeoff/vertical landing), and F-35C (carrier-based). Unlike the F-22, which focuses mostly on air superiority, the F-35 is designed to perform a wide range of missions including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, electronic warfare, and intelligence gathering. Its stealth and advanced sensor suite make it a highly effective platform for network-centric warfare. The F-35 is operated by many countries worldwide, making it one of the most widely used modern stealth fighters.
Sukhoi Su-57 (Russia)
The Su-57 is Russia’s answer to fifth-generation stealth fighters like the F-22 and F-35. Developed by Sukhoi, it combines stealth, supermaneuverability (thanks to thrust vectoring engines), and advanced avionics. The Su-57 is intended for both air superiority and ground attack missions, equipped with a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. While it boasts impressive capabilities, the Su-57 program has faced delays and production is limited compared to its American counterparts. Nonetheless, it represents a significant leap in Russian fighter technology.
Chengdu J-20 (China)
The J-20 Mighty Dragon is China’s stealth fighter developed by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation. It is designed to establish air superiority and conduct long-range strike missions. The J-20 emphasizes stealth and sensor capabilities, and is intended to compete with advanced Western fighters in the Asia-Pacific region. While less proven in combat and operational experience than the F-22 or F-35, the J-20 symbolizes China’s rapid advancement in military aviation technology.
Other Notable Fighter Jets:
- Eurofighter Typhoon (Europe): A highly agile multirole fighter used by several European countries. It is not stealthy but is extremely capable in air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.
- Dassault Rafale (France): Known for its versatility, it performs air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions effectively.