Fighter planes are the vanguard of any modern air force, and in 2025, the skies are a fascinating mix of eras. Fifth-generation stealth fighters now fly alongside Cold War-era workhorses that simply refuse to retire. From advanced designs with the latest tech to proven platforms with decades of battle-tested know-how, here’s a look at the ten most prevalent fighters still shaping air power today.
10. Mirage 2000
Immediately recognizable by its delta-wing shape, Dassault’s Mirage 2000 had a late-1970s takeoff but entered service in the 1980s as a light, single-engine multirole fighter. It became quickly well-known because it is one of the most reliable and agile planes available. It has seen action from the Gulf War through Kosovo, and an estimated 331 are still in frontline service worldwide in countries like France, India, the UAE, and Taiwan. Modernization efforts have made it remain effective even as old as it is, and this classic fighter still has teeth.
9. Sukhoi Su-24
Otherwise referred to by NATO as the “Fencer,” the Su-24 was the Soviet response to deep-strike mission requirements. It is a swing-wing aircraft; its cockpit is a side-by-side configuration, and it entered service in the 1970s as an all-weather ground attack aircraft mainly used for precision strikes deep within enemy country. Presently, there are approximately 399 still around and in service. Russia has the largest inventory of these, along with other nations such as Algeria, Syria, and Ukraine. Despite age, still a part of modern-day warfare as a testament to the lasting hardware from the Cold War.
8. Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is the product of a collaborative project among the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Slender, agile, and fast, it was originally intended for air superiority but matured as a genuine multirole vehicle. First entering service in 2003, it has cutting-edge avionics and weapons. With over 500 combat aircraft in service throughout the world, from the Middle East deployments to the present day, the Typhoon remains a cornerstone of NATO air defense and will continue to be so well into the second decade of the new millennium.
7. Chengdu J-7
A MiG-21 variant, the J-7, appeared in the 1960s and continued to be produced up to the 2010s—pretty long service for a fighter. It churned out more than 2,400, with hundreds still flying today. While not as advanced as modern fighters, the J-7 is inexpensive, simple to fix, and still worth using for training or second-line purposes. About 650 continue to fly in various countries, making it one of the most productive fighters still in operation.
6. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
F-35 is the pinnacle of fighter evolution. Loaded with stealth technology, advanced sensors, and the ability to pass data throughout the battlefield, it is literally known as a flying computer instead of a traditional jet. Having endured a tumultuous and expensive development process, it is now firmly rooted as the mainstay for a number of allied air forces. With more than 700 operational and production still climbing, the F-35 will control the skies for decades.
5. MiG-29
The Soviet equivalent of the American F-16 was the MiG-29 “Fulcrum,” built to engage in dogfights and rapid reaction missions. It was a marvel of agility, power, and handling, forming the backbone of air forces aligned with the Soviets during the 1980s. Today, around 788 continue to be used in many places, from Russia to India to Ukraine. Although some fleets are dwindling, advanced upgrades have ensured the Fulcrum remains viable in an age of stealth and long-range weapons.
4. McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
Designed during the late 1970s as a multirole U.S. Navy fighter, the F/A-18 quickly established itself. Its carrier-based design gave it toughness and flexibility, and its evolution into the Super Hornet gave it extended range and payload. With around 827 remaining Hornets and Super Hornets in service across the globe—divided across Australia, Spain, Canada, and Kuwait—it remains one of the most dependable and combat-proven jets of the post-war era.
3. McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Few aircraft have a better combat record than that of the F-15 Eagle. With well over a hundred confirmed air-to-air kills and not a single one lost in aerial combat, it has achieved its legendary status. Having first taken to the skies in 1972, it continues to evolve with the Strike Eagle and Eagle II variants. More than 900 are still in service in nations such as the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Israel. Its unmatched combination of speed, power, and payload makes it one of the greatest fighters ever built.
2. Sukhoi Su-27 Family
The Su-27 “Flanker” was created to compete with the F-15 and has since grown a large family of variants, such as the Su-30, Su-34, and Su-35. Recognized by their extended range, heavy payload, and high maneuverability, these aircraft have become the mainstay of a number of air forces. With approximately 1,284 operational aircraft, the Flanker family is still one of the most prevalent and adaptable fighter designs in current use.
1. General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
The F-16, also known in common parlance as the “Viper,” first flew in the 1970s as a lightweight, low-cost fighter that would eventually become the most successful multirole fighter ever built. More than 2,000 are still in service for more than 25 countries, the U.S. Air Force alone operating more of them than anyone else. Constantly evolving updates have ensured the F-16 is current, with it ensuring that it will remain a mainstay in the skies for many years to come. Its age and sheer numbers guarantee it takes the position at number one on this list.