Aircraft database
Fighter Jets of Canada
Every combat aircraft in Canadian service, from the CF-18 Hornet to the incoming F-35A, with specifications and current status.
Updated October 2026
What fighter jets does Canada operate?
The Royal Canadian Air Force operates around 85 CF-18 Hornets, Canada’s only frontline fighter type, used for NORAD air defence and NATO missions. Canada has ordered 88 F-35As to replace them.
Frontline types
1
In active service
Combat aircraft
~85
CF-18 Hornet
Fifth-generation
0
88 F-35A on order
Next generation
F-35A
Replacing the CF-18
Fighter jets in service today
Aircraft
Manufacturer
First flight
Top speed
F-47
Manufacturer
First flight
2028
Top speed
Mach 2.0
KAI KF-21 Boramae
Manufacturer
First flight
2022
Top speed
Mach 1.81
J-35/FC-31
Manufacturer
First flight
2012
Top speed
Mach 1.8
J-20 Mighty Dragon
Manufacturer
First flight
2011
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Su-57 Felon
Manufacturer
First flight
2010
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Su-35 Flanker-E
Manufacturer
First flight
2008
Top speed
Mach 2.25
F-35 Lightning II
Manufacturer
First flight
2006
Top speed
Mach 1.6
JF-17 Thunder
Manufacturer
First flight
2003
Top speed
Mach 1.6
HAL Tejas
Manufacturer
First flight
2001
Top speed
Mach 1.8
J-10C
Manufacturer
First flight
1998
Top speed
Mach 1.8
F-22 Raptor
Manufacturer
First flight
1997
Top speed
Mach 2.25
F/A-18 Super Hornet
Manufacturer
First flight
1995
Top speed
Mach 1.6
Mitsubishi F-2
Manufacturer
First flight
1995
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Eurofighter Typhoon
Manufacturer
First flight
1994
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Su-34 Fullback
Manufacturer
First flight
1990
Top speed
Mach 1.8
Saab Gripen
Manufacturer
First flight
1988
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Dassault Rafale
Manufacturer
First flight
1986
Top speed
Mach 1.8
AV-8B Harrier II
Manufacturer
First flight
1978
Top speed
1,070 km/h
Mirage 2000
Manufacturer
First flight
1978
Top speed
Mach 2.2
MiG-29 Fulcrum
Manufacturer
First flight
1977
Top speed
Mach 2.25
Su-27 Flanker
Manufacturer
First flight
1977
Top speed
Mach 2.35
MiG-31 Foxhound
Manufacturer
First flight
1975
Top speed
Mach 2.83
Panavia Tornado
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 2.2
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 2.05
F-15 Eagle
Manufacturer
First flight
1972
Top speed
Mach 2.5
A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog)
Manufacturer
First flight
1972
Top speed
Mach 0.56
F-14 Tomcat
Manufacturer
First flight
1970
Top speed
Mach 2.34
SEPECAT Jaguar
Manufacturer
First flight
1968
Top speed
Mach 1.6
Mirage F1
Manufacturer
First flight
1966
Top speed
Mach 2.2
F-5 Tiger II
Manufacturer
First flight
1959
Top speed
Mach 1.63
F-4 Phantom II
Manufacturer
First flight
1958
Top speed
Mach 2.23
MiG-21 Fishbed
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
Mach 2.05
Bombers and support aircraft
Aircraft
Manufacturer
First flight
Top speed
B-21 Raider
Manufacturer
First flight
2023
Top speed
Mach 0.8
Yak-130
Manufacturer
First flight
1996
Top speed
Mach 0.93
B-2 Spirit
Manufacturer
First flight
1989
Top speed
Mach 0.95
Aermacchi S-211
Manufacturer
First flight
1981
Top speed
667 km/h
Tu-160 Blackjack
Manufacturer
First flight
1981
Top speed
Mach 2.05
Aermacchi MB-339
Manufacturer
First flight
1976
Top speed
898 km/h
BAE Hawk
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 0.84
L-39 Albatros
Manufacturer
First flight
1968
Top speed
750 km/h
U-2 Dragon Lady
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
Mach 0.67
B-52 Stratofortress
Manufacturer
First flight
1952
Top speed
Mach 0.86
Retired fighter jets
Aircraft
Manufacturer
First flight
Top speed
Tornado GR4
Manufacturer
First flight
1974
Top speed
Mach 1.3
F-111 Aardvark
Manufacturer
First flight
1964
Top speed
Mach 2.5
F-117 Nighthawk
Manufacturer
First flight
1981
Top speed
Mach 0.92
F-104 Starfighter
Manufacturer
First flight
1954
Top speed
Mach 2.01
Concorde
Manufacturer
First flight
1969
Top speed
Mach 2.04
SR-71 Blackbird
Manufacturer
First flight
1964
Top speed
Mach 3.3
Blackburn Buccaneer
Manufacturer
First flight
1958
Top speed
1,038 km/h
English Electric Lightning
Manufacturer
First flight
1954
Top speed
Mach 2.0
F-105 Thunderchief
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
Mach 2.08
Avro Vulcan
Manufacturer
First flight
1952
Top speed
Mach 0.88
X-15
Manufacturer
First flight
1959
Top speed
Mach 6.72
Harrier Jump Jet
Manufacturer
First flight
1967
Top speed
1,175 km/h
Folland Gnat
Manufacturer
First flight
1955
Top speed
1,118 km/h
F-86 Sabre
Manufacturer
First flight
1947
Top speed
1,105 km/h
MiG-17 Fresco
Manufacturer
First flight
1950
Top speed
1,145 km/h
Fouga Magister
Manufacturer
First flight
1952
Top speed
715 km/h
L-29 Delfin
Manufacturer
First flight
1959
Top speed
655 km/h
T-33 Shooting Star
Manufacturer
First flight
1948
Top speed
966 km/h
de Havilland Vampire
Manufacturer
First flight
1943
Top speed
882 km/h
Hawker Hunter
Manufacturer
First flight
1951
Top speed
Mach 0.94
Gloster Meteor
Manufacturer
First flight
1943
Top speed
965 km/h
MiG-15 Fagot
Manufacturer
First flight
1947
Top speed
1,077 km/h
MiG-25 Foxbat
Manufacturer
First flight
1964
Top speed
Mach 2.83
Me 262 Schwalbe
Manufacturer
First flight
1941
Top speed
870 km/h
How Canadian air power is structured
One operating service
All fighters are flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force, with a central role in NORAD alongside the United States.
Imported aircraft
Canada has flown US-designed fighters since the 1960s, often licence-built or modified for Canadian service.
What comes next
88 F-35As are on order to replace the CF-18.
Can you fly a Canadian fighter jet?
Yes, in a former military jet. Fly the T-33 Shooting Star from Waterloo, Ontario, a 45 minute flight with time at the controls.
Canada fighter jet questions
How many fighter jets does Canada have?
Canada has around 85 CF-18 Hornets, flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force, and 88 F-35As are on order.
What fighter jets does Canada fly?
Canada flies the CF-18 Hornet, with around 85 in Royal Canadian Air Force service. Canada also has 88 F-35As on order.
Is Canada buying the F-35?
Yes, Canada is buying the F-35, with 88 F-35As on order. The Royal Canadian Air Force currently flies around 85 CF-18 Hornets.
What is NORAD?
NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, is a joint US-Canadian air defence organisation.
Can I fly a fighter jet in Canada?
Yes, you can fly a fighter jet in Canada with Jetify. Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star flights run from Waterloo, Ontario, from around £2,800, $3,800 or €3,400.