Are These 2028 Military Aircraft Closer to Spaceships Than Planes?

Contemporary aircraft typically do not feature nose art, or artistry on the front (the nose) of the plane. But this is not true for members of the F-15E Strike Eagle squadron. At least six deployed F-15E Strike Eagles — part of the U.S. Air Force’s 492nd Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing — recently arrived back to base with new nose art. This continues a storied tradition of colorful insignia put on aircraft starting in World War I. Pilots personalized their aircraft with art. While many people today believe that nose art prevents aircraft from stealth operations (and it very well might), nose art connects pilots of today with pilots of the past. (The Air Force has 738 of these powerful combat aircraft.)

Global military are working on expanding their aircraft fleet with next-generation aircraft like the supersonic KF-21 Boramae , which has updated capabilities and stronger search-and-track systems. But not every military is solely purchasing new aircraft. Although many modern pilots seek ways of connecting with their earlier counterparts, they may not have to go as far as they think to do so. The U.S. Air Force — and militaries around the world — still fly many of the same aircraft as they did decades ago. Her, 24/7 Wall St. is examining combat aircraft being ordered by world militaries. To identify the oldest combat aircraft that world militaries are still buying, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered these aircraft chronologically. We also included supplemental data on the type of aircraft, how many of these aircraft are in active service, and what militaries employ these aircraft.

Why Are We Covering This?

The continued purchasing of decades-old military aircraft reveals fascinating truths about modern military spending. While some of the planes on this list have not even been introduced yet, many have been used for periods spanning several decades. These planes offer reliability and cost-effectiveness, often making them a stronger choice for several militaries. Understanding which combat aircraft are used by the militaries around the world provides insight into joint military capabilities and defense strategies. Also knowing what other countries have in their arsenals further explains relative military capabilities.

Check out the oldest (and newest!) combat aircraft on order by global militaries:

25. B-21 Raider

Type: Strategic long-range stealth bomber aircraft
Year introduced: 2028
Total aircraft on order: 100
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries buying this aircraft: United States

24. KF-21 Boramae

Type: Fifth-generation fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2028
Total aircraft on order: 170
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries buying this aircraft: Indonesia, South Korea

23. Calidus B-250 Bader

Type: Light attack aircraft
Year introduced: 2021
Total aircraft on order: 24
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries buying this aircraft: United Arab Emirates

22. Su-57 Felon

Type: Fifth-generation stealth aircraft
Year introduced: 2019
Total aircraft on order: 62
Total active aircraft: 14
Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia

21. Hurkus C

Type: Counter-insurgency attack aircraft
Year introduced: 2018
Total aircraft on order: 24
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries buying this aircraft: Turkey

20. F-35 Lightning II

Wisconsin National Guard by The National Guard

Wisconsin National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard

Type: Fifth-generation strike fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2016
Total aircraft on order: 2703
Total active aircraft: 661
Militaries buying this aircraft: United States, Israel, Poland, Canada

19. HAL Tejas

Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2015
Total aircraft on order: 180
Total active aircraft: 32
Militaries buying this aircraft: India

18. Su-34 Fullback

Type: Strike fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2014
Total aircraft on order: 4
Total active aircraft: 134
Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia

17. Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine

Beechcraft AT-6 'Wolverine' experimental aircraft by aeroman3

Beechcraft AT-6 'Wolverine' experimental aircraft (PDM 1.0) by aeroman3

Type: Light attack / close-air support aircraft
Year introduced: 2013
Total aircraft on order: 12
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries buying this aircraft: Thailand, Tunisia

16. JF-17 Thunder

Type: Light fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2007
Total aircraft on order: 47
Total active aircraft: 128
Militaries buying this aircraft: Pakistan, Myanmar

15. Chengdu J-10C Vigorous Dragon

Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2005
Total aircraft on order: 7
Total active aircraft: 18
Militaries buying this aircraft: Pakistan

14. FA-50 GF/PL Golden Eagle

Type: Light attack aircraft
Year introduced: 2005
Total aircraft on order: 82
Total active aircraft: 2
Militaries buying this aircraft: Poland, Malaysia

13. Eurofighter Typhoon

Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2003
Total aircraft on order: 157
Total active aircraft: 296
Militaries buying this aircraft: Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia

12. Dassault Rafale

Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2001
Total aircraft on order: 362
Total active aircraft: 211
Militaries buying this aircraft: France, Egypt, Croatia, India, United Arab Emirates