When acquiring air superiority, nations spend a great deal of money on advanced fighter aircraft. These planes are technological wonders, but also some of the most costly military weapons ever created. Let’s begin our countdown of the top 10 most expensive fighter jets in the world today and how the F-15EX Eagle II measures against its exclusive contemporaries.
10. Shenyang FC-31/J-35 – $70 Million
The FC-31, known as the J-31 or Gyrfalcon, is a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed with versatility and carrier capabilities. With a stealthy design, double engines, and an internal weapons bay, it seeks to compete with other stealth jets available. If mass-produced, the FC-31 may be priced anywhere from $70 million to $85 million per plane, making it a relatively economical choice for export customers.
9. Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet – $73 Million
The workhorse of a large navy’s carrier force, the Super Hornet is a more powerful and larger replacement for previous Hornet generations. It has a greater range, flight duration, and payload capacity. The E/A-18G Growler model, used for electronic warfare, drives prices up toward $80 million. Although solid and multi-mission-capable, it falls short of the stealth and acceleration of the latest fighters.
8. Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen – $85 Million
Sweden’s Gripen E/F merges cutting-edge AESA radar, greater payload, increased range, and advanced electronic warfare capabilities. It is one of the world’s first fully data-link integrated fighters, with AI-enhanced systems, offering a smart, survivable option to countries wanting advanced technology without sacrificing the budget. The cost has come down from more than $100 million to about $85 million per aircraft.
7. Sukhoi Su-35 – $85 Million
Su-35 is a 4.5-generation air superiority fighter with outstanding maneuverability due to thrust-vectoring engines and high speed. It does not possess stealth capabilities but makes up for it with agility and powerful firepower. Export orders typically cost around $85 million per aircraft.
6. Boeing F-15EX Eagle II – $97 Million
Transitioning to the big guns, the F-15EX Eagle II is the newest and most sophisticated iteration of the legendary F-15. Initially priced at less than $80 million, it went up to $97 million by the latter part of 2023. It’s designed for dominating firepower and state-of-the-art survivability with such items as digital fly-by-wire flight controls, an all-glass cockpit, cutting-edge mission systems, and the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS)—an advanced electronic warfare suite.
Testing has verified the F-15EX can carry as many as 12 air-to-air missiles, four more than previous models. It is a standoff weapons platform, filling in behind stealth fighters by providing a high rate of firepower to take out threats. The EPAWSS system aids it in surviving hostile airspace using radar warning, jamming, and countermeasures.
The US Air Force will purchase at least 80 of the planes as replacements for old F-15Cs/Ds and to enhance tactical capabilities. The interest from abroad is intensifying, with nations such as Indonesia and Poland expressing interest.
5. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II – $109 Million
F-35 is the most costly weapon system in history, with program expenditure climbing over $1.7 trillion. The unit price of its STOVL variant is approximately $109 million, but operational expenditures go even higher. Its stealth, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare features make it an impressive fifth-generation multirole fighter, if only its complexity and cost are not topics of discussion.
4. Chengdu J-20 – $110 Million
This air-superiority and deep-strike-capable stealth fighter features radar-absorbent materials, internal weapons bays, and cutting-edge engines that provide supercruise and maneuverability. It costs around $110 million per aircraft and is, at present, reserved only for domestic military applications, with no exportation plans.
3. Eurofighter Typhoon – $117 Million
A global 4.5-generation fighter, the Typhoon excels in air-to-air combat and multirole scenarios. It has sophisticated sensors, AESA radar, and electronic warfare suites, giving it an advantageous position in the skies. Export prices are approximately $117 million per aircraft, although the total program cost is much greater because of research, development, and multinational production.
2. Dassault Rafale – $125 Million
The Rafale is a multirole fighter that can engage in air combat, ground attacks, reconnaissance, and even nuclear deterrence. Its SPECTRA electronic warfare system provides active jamming and survivability upgrades. Its average price is $125 million per unit, with its top export customers being India, Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE.
1. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor – $143 Million
Number one on the list is the F-22 Raptor, the world’s most costly fighter plane, at a unit price of $143 million and program expenses exceeding $334 million per aircraft. It is unrivaled in stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and air dominance. Production ceased in 2011 when costs proved too high, but the F-22 still reigns supreme as the gold standard for aerial supremacy.
Although not the most stealthy on this list, the F-15EX Eagle II is a heavy-hitting and advanced fighter that delivers tremendous firepower, speed, and electronic warfare capabilities. With continued buys and global interest, it’s going to be a player for years to come in air forces around the world.
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