As aircraft technology continues to advance, countries find themselves vigorously seeking out cutting-edge aircraft to ensure their combat readiness and tactical advantage. Militaries continue to restock their fleets with the latest iterations of fighter jets and combat helicopters to maintain air superiority.
To identify the military aircraft of the future, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed what militaries across the world are ordering this year from the report, 2023 World Air Forces by FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website. Aircraft were ranked by the number of units on order across all 163 countries reporting to FlightGlobal. Orders include both firm order and those with and letters
of intent or options. Supplemental data regarding the type of aircraft, how many are in active service, and notable countries that utilize these aircraft came from FlightGlobal.
Currently, the F-35 Lightning II emerges as the military aircraft with the most units on order at 2,758. Produced by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 is a multirole, stealth combat aircraft that boasts an array of capabilities, including advanced sensor package, internal and external weapons, and interoperability. Geopolitical conditions, combined with its advanced features, have driven demand for the F-35. (These are the top 10 most used fighter jets in the world.)
Various models of the F-35 have been purchased and ordered by a global network of partners, including the U.S., U.K., Italy, Netherlands, Australia, Norway, Denmark, Canada, and others. However, controversy over cost overruns, delivery delays, and performance questions mean that future orders can fluctuate significantly.
While compared to the F-35 relatively few B-21 Raiders are on order, at 100, this long-range stealth bomber by Northrop Grumman may be one of the most anticipated aircraft on order. Aimed at replacing the aging B-1 and B-2 aircraft, the B-21 is set to eclipse these popular bombers on all fronts, especially technologically. However, the timeline for the actual rollout for the B-21 is unclear.
It is worth pointing out that a majority of the aircraft on this list, especially those near the top of the list, are from U.S.-based manufacturers. As such, they tend to be distributed among allies of the United States. Russian-made aircraft, meanwhile, tend to go to its allies. (These are the largest air forces in the world.)
Here is a look at the aircraft of the future.
Source: eugenesergeev / iStock via Getty Images
26. Kamov Ka-62
> Aircraft on order: 100 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 0
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Russia
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
25. B-21 Raider
> Aircraft on order: 100 (tied)
> Active aircraft: 0
> Type: Combat aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: United States
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24. Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40
> Aircraft on order: 106
> Active aircraft: 0
> Type: Training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: India
23. HAL Tejas
> Aircraft on order: 112
> Active aircraft: 19
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: India
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Source: JohnnyPowell / E+ via Getty Images
22. F/A-18 Hornet
> Aircraft on order: 116
> Active aircraft: 1,111
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Canada, Spain, Switzerland, United States
Source: Ryan Fletcher / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
21. C-130 Hercules
> Aircraft on order: 119
> Active aircraft: 1,133
> Type: Combat aircraft, special mission, tanker, transport
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: United States, Austria, Israel
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
20. Boeing 767
> Aircraft on order: 123
> Active aircraft: 76
> Type: Special mission, tanker
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Colombia, Israel, Italy, Japan
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19. AW119 Koala
> Aircraft on order: 129
> Active aircraft: 32
> Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Bangladesh, Ecuador, United States
Source: VanderWolf-Images / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
18. NH90 Caiman
> Aircraft on order: 147
> Active aircraft: 446
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Australia, France, Netherlands
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17. Eurofighter Typhoon
> Aircraft on order: 148
> Active aircraft: 522
> Type: Combat aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Germany, Spain, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
16. KAI KUH-1 Surion
> Aircraft on order: 153
> Active aircraft: 100
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: South Korea
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Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
15. F-16 Fighting Falcon
> Aircraft on order: 156
> Active aircraft: 2763
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt
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Source: Ryan Fletcher / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
14. Bell 412
> Aircraft on order: 164
> Active aircraft: 295
> Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Japan, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan
13. KAI KF-21 Boramae
> Aircraft on order: 170
> Active aircraft: 0
> Type: Combat aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Indonesia, South Korea
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12. Airbus H160
> Aircraft on order: 174
> Active aircraft: 1
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: France
Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
11. Mil Mi-28 Havoc
> Aircraft on order: 175
> Active aircraft: 145
> Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Algeria, Iraq, Russia, Venezuela
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10. Saab JAS 39 Gripen
> Aircraft on order: 178
> Active aircraft: 159
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Brazil, Hungary, South Africa, Sweden
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9. Kamov Ka-226 Hoodlum
> Aircraft on order: 200
> Active aircraft: 37
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: India, Russia, Ukraine
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
8. CH-47 Chinook
> Aircraft on order: 202
> Active aircraft: 925
> Type: Combat aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Australia, Germany, United States
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7. Ch-53 Sea Stallion
> Aircraft on order: 215
> Active aircraft: 250
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Germany, Israel, United States
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
6. F-15 Eagle
> Aircraft on order: 222
> Active aircraft: 1,066
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Indonesia, Israel, Japan, United States
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Source: Andrew_Harker / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
5. Dassault Rafale
> Aircraft on order: 313
> Active aircraft: 234
> Type: Combat aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Croatia, Egypt, France, India
4. AH-64 Apache
> Aircraft on order: 324
> Active aircraft: 1,233
> Type: Combat helicopter
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Greece, India, United States
Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr
3. T-7A Red Hawk
> Aircraft on order: 351
> Active aircraft: 0
> Type: Training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: United States
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Source: fikretozk / iStock via Getty Images
2. S-70 Black Hawk
> Aircraft on order: 806
> Active aircraft: 3,909
> Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: United States, Saudi Arabia, Poland
1. F-35 Lightning II
> Aircraft on order: 2,758
> Active aircraft: 716
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Canada, Israel, United States
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