Fighter jet guides
Which Country Has the Best Fighter Jet?
Five nations, ten aircraft, and one question that has no single answer. Compared on stealth, speed, weapons, avionics and combat record.
Updated September 2026 · 5 countries · 7 minute read
Which country has the best fighter jet?
The United States, on current evidence. The F-22 Raptor remains unmatched for air dominance and the F-35 Lightning II leads on multirole versatility. But the answer depends on the mission: for close-range dogfighting the Eurofighter Typhoon and Su-35 excel, and China’s J-20 continues to close the gap on stealth.
Air dominance
F-22 Raptor
United States
Multirole
F-35 Lightning II
United States
Dogfighting
Eurofighter Typhoon
UK & Europe
Agility
Su-35 Flanker-E
Russia
Every country compared
Flagship aircraft by nation, ranked by generation and capability.
Country
Flagship aircraft
Top speed
Cost per unit
United States
F-22 Raptor
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Cost per unit
$150 million
United States
F-35 Lightning II
Top speed
Mach 1.6
Cost per unit
$110 million
China
J-20 Mighty Dragon
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Cost per unit
$110 million
Russia
Su-57 Felon
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Cost per unit
$42 million
Russia
Su-35 Flanker-E
Top speed
Mach 2.25
Cost per unit
$85 million
UK & Europe
Eurofighter Typhoon
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Cost per unit
$105 million
France
Dassault Rafale
Top speed
Mach 1.8
Cost per unit
$85 million
Sweden
Saab Gripen E
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Cost per unit
$85 million
China
J-16
Top speed
Mach 2.0
Cost per unit
$65 million
France
Mirage 2000
Top speed
Mach 2.2
Cost per unit
$31 million
Cost per unit at time of production. Generation follows the standard Western classification.
How do we determine the best fighter jet?
Several key factors define a top-tier fighter jet.
Stealth
The ability to avoid radar detection and strike without warning.
Speed & agility
Supersonic performance, or superior dogfighting ability.
Weapons systems
Advanced targeting and missile technology.
Avionics & AI
Next-generation radar and electronic warfare systems.
Combat effectiveness
Real-world mission success and operational reliability.
United States: F-22 Raptor vs F-35 Lightning II
The US has long dominated military aviation with two cutting-edge fighter jets.
F-22 Raptor
Designed for air superiority, the F-22 offers unmatched stealth and agility. However, its high cost led to production being halted.
F-35 Lightning II
A multirole fighter with advanced sensor fusion, capable of both stealth missions and air support. While slower than the F-22, it is more adaptable across different combat scenarios.
Russia: Su-57 Felon vs Su-35 Flanker-E
Russia’s aircraft prioritise manoeuvrability and firepower.
Su-57 Felon
Russia’s stealth fighter, designed to rival Western aircraft. While highly manoeuvrable, its stealth effectiveness remains debated.
Su-35 Flanker-E
Not a stealth fighter, but one of the most agile jets in the world. Its advanced thrust-vectoring gives it a dog-fighting advantage.
China: J-20 Mighty Dragon vs J-16
China has made rapid progress in fighter jet development.
J-20 Mighty Dragon
A stealth fighter built for long-range air superiority. While its radar signature is low, engine performance has been an area of development.
J-16 Fighter
A multirole aircraft designed for both air combat and ground strikes. It lacks stealth but offers high operational flexibility.
France: Dassault Rafale vs Mirage 2000
France has focused on adaptable multirole fighters.
Dassault Rafale
A highly versatile jet, capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It lacks full stealth but has strong combat performance.
Mirage 2000
An older but effective jet, known for its high-speed interception capabilities.
UK & Europe: Eurofighter Typhoon vs Gripen E
European nations collaborate on fighter jet development.
Eurofighter Typhoon
Designed for speed and agility, making it one of the best in dogfights. However, it does not feature full stealth technology.
Gripen E
A lightweight multirole fighter with advanced electronic warfare systems. While cost-effective, it does not match the stealth capabilities of newer designs.
Which country has the best fighter jet?
For air dominance
The F-22 Raptor remains unmatched due to its stealth and agility.
For multirole capability
The F-35 Lightning II leads with its versatility and advanced sensors.
For non-stealth dogfighting
The Eurofighter Typhoon and Su-35 excel in close-range combat.
While the US leads in stealth technology, China and Russia continue advancing their own fighters. Each country’s aircraft reflect its military strategy — stealth-focused for the US, agility-focused for Russia, and long-range capability for China.
Future fighter jet developments
Countries are already working on next-generation fighters.
United States
The Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme, now designated F-47.
UK & Europe
The Tempest programme, a joint UK, Italian and Japanese sixth-generation effort.
China & Russia
Continued refinement of stealth capability on the J-20, J-35 and Su-57 lines.
The aircraft in detail
FRANCE — Dassault Mirage 2000 – Mach 2.2
Manufactured
French
Cost
$31 million*
Role
Multirole
Speed
1,400 mph / 2,253 km/h · Mach 2.2
USA — F-22 Raptor – Mach 2.0
Manufactured
American
Cost
$150 million*
Role
Superiority
Speed
1,355 mph / 2,181 km/h · Mach 2.0
UK & EUROPE — Eurofighter Typhoon – Mach 2.0
Manufactured
Multi-national
Cost
$105 million*
Role
Multirole
Speed
1,320 mph / 2,124 km/h · Mach 2.0
*Cost at the time of production
Common questions
Which country has the most advanced fighter jet?
The United States has the most advanced fighter jets. The F-22 Raptor leads on air dominance and the F-35 Lightning II on multirole capability, and no other nation currently fields a comparable pair.
Is the F-22 better than the Su-57?
On stealth and sensor fusion, the F-22 is better than the Su-57. The Su-57 is more manoeuvrable and considerably cheaper, but its stealth performance is widely questioned.
How good is China’s J-20?
China's J-20 is capable and improving. Its radar signature is genuinely low and its range is its strongest asset, though engine performance has lagged Western equivalents.
Which country has the best non-stealth fighter?
Europe arguably has the best non-stealth fighter. The Eurofighter Typhoon is among the best close-in dogfighters flying, and Russia's Su-35 is its closest rival.
What comes after fifth-generation fighters?
Sixth-generation fighters come after fifth-generation designs: the US F-47 under the NGAD programme, and the joint UK, Italy and Japan Tempest programme.
Can a civilian fly the world’s most advanced fighter jets?
None of them. Civilian fighter jet flights use ex-military trainers and first-generation jets such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15.
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