The F-35 Lightning II is the face of the fifth generation of fighter jets. This new generation of aircraft incorporates cutting-edge technology to improve their stealth capabilities, among many other tactical improvements. Although this generation is just now getting off the ground, countries around the world are ordering and stocking up on many of these next-generation aircraft. (These are the top 10 most used fighter jets in the world.)
As it stands now, the Lightning II has the most units on order of any of these advanced aircraft at 2,758. Produced by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 is a multi-role, stealth combat aircraft that features an array of capabilities, including an advanced sensor package, internal and external weapons, and interoperability. (These are the top 10 most used fighter jets in the world.)
The current temperature of geopolitical relations has driven the demand for these advanced aircraft. In fact, many U.S. allies have purchased and ordered the new F-35, including Italy, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others. Also, many of these aircraft are produced by the United States so it makes sense that they would be distributed among U.S. allies, as opposed to being sold to China or Russia which are manufacturing their own fifth-generation aircraft. (These are the largest air forces in the world.)
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. Supplemental data regarding the type of aircraft, how many are in active service, and notable countries that utilize these aircraft came from FlightGlobal.
There may be some familiar names on this list but perhaps one of the most talked about is the B-21 Raiders. These are long-range stealth bombers developed by Northrop Grumman intended to replace the aging B-1 and B-2 aircraft. The B-21 is set to eclipse these popular bombers on all fronts, especially technologically. However, it remains to be seen when the actual rollout for the B-21 will take place.
Here is a look at the future military aircraft of the world.
26. Kamov Ka-62
Source: eugenesergeev / iStock via Getty Images
- Aircraft on order: 100 (tied)
- Active aircraft: 0
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Russia
25. B-21 Raider
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Aircraft on order: 100 (tied)
- Active aircraft: 0
- Type: Combat aircraft
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: United States
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
22. F/A-18 Hornet
Source: JohnnyPowell / E+ via Getty Images
- Aircraft on order: 116
- Active aircraft: 1,111
- Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Canada, Spain, Switzerland, United States
21. C-130 Hercules
Source: Ryan Fletcher / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Aircraft on order: 119
- Active aircraft: 1,133
- Type: Combat aircraft, special mission, tanker, transport
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: United States, Austria, Israel
20. Boeing 767
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Aircraft on order: 123
- Active aircraft: 76
- Type: Special mission, tanker
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Colombia, Israel, Italy, Japan
19. AW119 Koala
- Aircraft on order: 129
- Active aircraft: 32
- Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Bangladesh, Ecuador, United States
18. NH90 Caiman
Source: VanderWolf-Images / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Aircraft on order: 147
- Active aircraft: 446
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Australia, France, Netherlands
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
15. F-16 Fighting Falcon
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
- Aircraft on order: 156
- Active aircraft: 2763
- Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt
14. Bell 412
Source: Ryan Fletcher / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
12. Airbus H160
- Aircraft on order: 174
- Active aircraft: 1
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: France
11. Mil Mi-28 Havoc
Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
- Aircraft on order: 175
- Active aircraft: 145
- Type: Combat helicopter, training aircraft
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Algeria, Iraq, Russia, Venezuela
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
9. Kamov Ka-226 Hoodlum
- Aircraft on order: 200
- Active aircraft: 37
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: India, Russia, Ukraine
8. CH-47 Chinook
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
- Aircraft on order: 202
- Active aircraft: 925
- Type: Combat aircraft
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Australia, Germany, United States
7. Ch-53 Sea Stallion
- Aircraft on order: 215
- Active aircraft: 250
- Type: Combat helicopter
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Germany, Israel, United States
6. F-15 Eagle
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Aircraft on order: 222
- Active aircraft: 1,066
- Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: Indonesia, Israel, Japan, United States
5. Dassault Rafale
Source: Andrew_Harker / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- 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
3. T-7A Red Hawk
Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr
- Aircraft on order: 351
- Active aircraft: 0
- Type: Training aircraft
- Notable countries ordering the aircraft: United States
2. S-70 Black Hawk
Source: fikretozk / iStock via Getty Images
- 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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