Some of today’s military aircraft (e.g., B-52 Stratofortress, KC-135 tanker, or C-130 transport) are based on original designs from the 1950s. They have been updated and improved over the years, but the fundamental structures remain similar to the original versions. However, modern fighters like the F-35, Rafale, Typhoon, J-20, or Su-57 are entirely new designs. Despite the latest technology and military advancements seen in fifth-generation fighter jets, today’s militaries regularly purchase updated or re-manufactured variants of aircraft created more than 50 years ago.
24/7 Wall St. is taking a look at combat aircraft being ordered by world militaries from older models like the L-39 Albatros to newer fifth-generation fighter jets. To identify the oldest combat aircraft (and a few of the newest/future models) of world militaries, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. 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.
This post was updated on September 23, 2025 to clarify generations of select craft, 1950s models, IA-63 Pampa, F-35 numbers, and J-15 description.
Why Are We Covering This?
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.
Here is a look at the oldest (and newest) combat aircraft on order by the world’s militaries:
24. 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
23. KF-21 Boromae
- Type: 4.5 generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2028
- Total aircraft on order: 170
- Total active aircraft: 0
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Indonesia, South Korea
22. 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
21. Su-57 Felon
- Type: Fifth-generation stealth aircraft
- Year introduced: 2019
- Total aircraft on order: 62
- Total active aircraft: 14 (As of 2024, Russia reportedly fielded 20–22, but figures are not confirmed.)
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia
20. Hurkus C
- Type: Counter-insurgency attack aircraft
- Year introduced: 2018
- Total aircraft on order: 24
- Total active aircraft: 0
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Turkey
19. F-35 Lightning II
- Type: Fifth-generation strike fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2016
- Total aircraft on order: 2703
- Total active aircraft: over 970
- Militaries buying this aircraft: United States, Israel, Poland, Canada
18. HAL Tejas
- Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2016
- Total aircraft on order: 180
- Total active aircraft: 32
- Militaries buying this aircraft: India
17. Su-34 Fullback
- Type: Strike fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2014
- Total aircraft on order: 4
- Total active aircraft: 134
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia
16. Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine
- 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
15. 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
14. 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
13. FA-50 GF/PL Golden Eagle
- Type: Light attack aircraft
- Year introduced: 2013
- Total aircraft on order: 82
- Total active aircraft: 2
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Poland, Malaysia
12. Eurofighter Typhoon
- Type: 4.5 generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2003 (Development dates back to the 1980s.)
- Total aircraft on order: 157
- Total active aircraft: 296
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
11. Dassault Rafale
- Type: 4.5 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
10. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
- Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1999
- Total aircraft on order: 108
- Total active aircraft: 421
- Militaries buying this aircraft: United States, Kuwait
9. JAS 39 Gripen
- Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1997
- Total aircraft on order: 164
- Total active aircraft: 6
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Brazil, Sweden
8. J-15/Su-30/33 Flanker
- Type: Strike fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1996
- Total aircraft on order: 50
- Total active aircraft: 45
- Militaries buying this aircraft: China
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J-15 = Chinese carrier-based fighter, introduced in 2013.
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Su-30 = two-seat multirole fighter, introduced 1990s.
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Su-33 = Russian carrier fighter, introduced mid-1990s
7. AT-802 L/U Air Tractor
- Type: Light aircraft
- Year introduced: 2000s-2010s
- Total aircraft on order: 87
- Total active aircraft: 0
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Kenya, United States
6. Tu-160 Blackjack
- Type: Strategic long-range bomber aircraft
- Year introduced: 1989
- Total aircraft on order: 50
- Total active aircraft: 15
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia
5. IA-63 Pampa
- Type: Trainer/light attack aircraft
- Year introduced: 1988
- Total aircraft on order: 5
- Total active aircraft: 10
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Argentina
4. Su-27/30 Flanker
- Type: Air superiority fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1985
- Total aircraft on order: 94
- Total active aircraft: 781
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, India
3. MiG-29/35 Fulcrum
- Type: Light fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1984
- Total aircraft on order: 68
- Total active aircraft: 302
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia, Algeria, Yemen
2. F-16 Fighting Falcon
- Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1979
- Total aircraft on order: 237
- Total active aircraft: 202
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Ukraine, Taiwan, Romania, Morocco
1. F-15 Eagle
- Type: Air superiority fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1976 (Newer variants like the F-15EX (2021+) are substantially modernized)
- Total aircraft on order: 162
- Total active aircraft: 410
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Indonesia, Qatar, United States
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