The Military Watch (MW) magazine ranks the 8 best air superiority fighters in the world, but notes that the order presented does not imply a ranking. The position of these aircraft will be determined by readers themselves.
The Best Military Aircraft in the World Today
1. J-20A (China)
Delivered to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2016, the J-20 represents one of the two fifth-generation fighter types in the world that have been produced and equipped at squadron level, similar to the F-35.
The improved J-20A variant entered production in 2019.
Unlike the F-35, the J-20 utilizes a heavy twin-engine airframe that can accommodate larger radars and more weapons. This allows the aircraft to fly farther, faster at higher altitudes, and with greater maneuverability.
The improved J-20A variant that entered production in 2019 further enhanced the aircraft’s stealth capabilities and integrated the new WS-10C engine, making it the only fifth-generation fighter (among those currently in production) capable of super precision and sustained supersonic flight without using afterburners.
The J-20 is highly regarded for its access to both short-range and long-range air-to-air missiles like the PL-10 and PL-15, with the PL-15 having a longer range than Western competitors and equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
The J-20 is being produced at a rapid pace. Its quickly enhanced capabilities lead many analysts to regard it as one of the top air superiority fighters in the world.
2. F-22 (USA)
The F-22 employs thrust vectoring engines to enhance maneuverability.
The F-22A Raptor joined the U.S. Air Force in December 2005 after years of delays and budget cuts in the post-Cold War era. The Raptor’s revolutionary F119 engines provide it with more thrust than any other engine in the world. Meanwhile, the F-22’s stealth capabilities are rated superior in many aspects.
The F-22 uses thrust vectoring engines to improve its maneuverability; however, weaknesses in its avionics systems have significantly hindered its performance at all ranges, not only compared to the F-35 and J-20 but also against modern variants of fourth-generation fighters like the F-15EX or F-16 Block 70/72.
The F-22 production line was halted in 2009, less than three and a half years after the aircraft entered service. Extremely high maintenance requirements and relatively low durability are among the factors that may force the F-22 into early retirement.
3. Su-57 (Russia)
The Su-57 is rated to have very high potential in all roles.
The Su-57 is Russia’s second attempt to produce a fifth-generation air superiority fighter, following the ambitious MiG 1.42 program that collapsed due to the decline of Russia’s economy and industry in the 1990s.
The new fighter aircraft first flew in 2010, although delays in the program have prevented it from being deployed at squadron level.
In return, the Su-57 is the only fifth-generation fighter that has seen combat, conducting missile strikes against rebel forces in Syria. It also boasts a range of unique features never seen on American or Chinese aircraft.
Although it has lower stealth capabilities compared to other fighters of its generation, the Su-57 benefits from access to specialized radars, providing a very high situational awareness and the ability to track 60 airborne targets simultaneously.
The Su-57 is considered to have very high potential in all roles, and it has a more versatile design compared to the two aircraft developed in China and the USA.
4. F-35A/C (USA)
The F-35 was primarily developed for ground attack operations.
The F-35 is a lightweight fighter designed to provide a more cost-effective solution compared to the F-22.
The ability to synthesize data from a broader information network gives the F-35 a significant situational awareness advantage at longer ranges. Meanwhile, the use of helmet-mounted displays allows the F-35 to engage targets from angles that the F-22 cannot.
However, the F-35 is limited by lower maneuverability, a smaller payload, and stealth capabilities that are inferior to the F-22.
While the F-35 was primarily developed for ground attack operations, its sophistication could make its air-to-air combat capabilities very strong if current design issues are resolved.
5. MiG-31BM/BSM (Russia)
This is the fastest modern fighter in service with Russia.
The MiG-31 is considered the most powerful fighter/interceptor in service with Russia. This aircraft also has specialized variants for anti-satellite operations, such as the MiG-31K equipped with the hypersonic Kinzhal missile.
The MiG-31 is equipped with radars larger than those on any other fighter or interceptor in the world. It is also the fastest modern fighter in service with Russia, capable of speeds up to Mach 2.8.
It can sustain supersonic flight for extended periods, has high durability, and can operate in extreme temperature conditions, as well as land on unpaved runways. This makes it ideal for defending the Arctic region, which Russia is contesting with the West.
However, whether this aircraft will continue to be modernized in the mid-2020s depends heavily on the progress achieved with the ‘successor’ to the MiG-31, which is currently being developed under the PAK DP program (MiG-41).
6. J-16/J-15B (China)
The J-16 is built on the very high durability of the Su-27 design.
China purchased its first Su-27 Flanker fighter from the Soviet Union in 1991, with 3 aircraft delivered that year. Subsequently, Beijing heavily invested in domestic production licenses to develop indigenous variants with significantly greater capabilities.
The J-16 is built on the very high durability of the Su-27 design, capable of carrying large sensors and exhibiting excellent flight performance despite limited stealth. It features fifth-generation avionics and advanced weaponry, most notably the PL-10 and PL-15 missiles.
Meanwhile, the J-15B is a derivative of the Flanker that integrates many similar technologies deployed by the Chinese Navy for carrier operations. This aircraft has a single-seat design instead of a two-seat configuration, focusing more on air superiority and sharing many performance strengths with the J-16.
The avionics system of the J-16 is also used as a basis for China to modernize older Flanker variants like the J-11B series. The upgrade package includes modern sensors, missiles, data link systems, and more.
7. Su-35S (Russia)
The Su-35S boasts access to three types of radars.
Joining the Russian Air Force in early 2014, the Su-35S is derived from the Su-27 Flanker and has greatly benefited from advanced development programs like the Su-27M, Su-37, and Su-35BM.
The Su-35S boasts access to three types of radars, including two L-band AESA radars optimized for electronic warfare and stealth countermeasures. This aircraft also uses engines that are more powerful than any other Flanker variant, slightly less powerful than the F119 engine on the F-22.
Although it lacks advanced avionics systems, stealth, and long-range missiles like the Chinese Flanker variants, the Su-35 has much longer range, can climb faster, and is more maneuverable. It is designed to take on NATO’s fifth-generation jets, in particular.
8. F-15EX (USA)
The F-15EX can carry a large number of air-to-air missiles.
Launched in 2021, the F-15EX, while lacking the advanced stealth capabilities of the F-22, excels in most other aspects.
It boasts significantly higher flexibility and can deploy a variety of air-to-ground, anti-ship weapons, featuring more powerful radar integration as well as advanced infrared search and tracking systems. Meanwhile, its much lower maintenance requirements allow the F-15EX to maintain a higher operational readiness.
The F-15EX has the capacity to carry a large number of air-to-air missiles. In the future, it could also deploy oversized missiles with extremely long ranges.
With greater durability compared to the F-22, the F-15EX is equipped with helmet-mounted display technology for engaging targets at difficult angles.
