In the realm of cutting-edge flight, few machines spark as much intrigue as the world’s most costly fighter jets. They are not simply high-tech tools—they are decades of development, billions spent, and the wave of the future for national defense strategy. Their outrageous price is a measure of the level of innovation that goes into them, from stealth and velocity to raw firepower and battlefield awareness. Here are five of the most costly planes to fly in the skies right now, and why nations are shelling out such huge figures to keep them in the air.
5. Shenyang FC-31/J-35 – A Stealth Contender
The FC-31, when carrier-based, is the J-35, and is a double-engine stealth fighter that was built with modern multirole capability in mind. For $70 million to $85 million, it is the lowest-cost aircraft on this list, yet still includes such features as internal weapons bays and radar-reducing design. Although not yet battle-tested, it has been marketed as a less expensive path to fifth-generation aviation. For nations wishing to join stealth operations without breaking the bank, the FC-31 offers access to the air power of tomorrow.
4. Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet – The Carrier Workhorse
Priced at $67 million to $73 million, depending on the model, F/A-18 Super Hornet remains the backbone of U.S. naval air power. Its multirole capability makes it as valuable for conducting air strikes, taking down enemy fighters in a dogfight, or operating from carriers at sea as it is for anything else. Its electronic warfare equivalent, the E/A-18G Growler, pushes prices to almost $80 million. While it is not as reliant on stealth, the Super Hornet’s proven track record, adaptability, and long service life have made it one of the most reliable fighters flying today.
3. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II – Global Fifth-Gen Power
The F-35 program is arguably the most far-reaching of all of aviation, with life-cycle costs to surpass $1.7 trillion when maintenance and operating costs are included. More aircraft cost less: the short takeoff and vertical landing F-35B comes in at about $109 million, and the traditional F-35A is closer to $80 million.
The F-35 stands out because it has stealth, cutting-edge sensors, and the ability to share information easily with other planes and ground systems. It’s utilized broadly across allied air forces, designed to be a force multiplier across several battle spaces—albeit its complexity and long-term maintenance continue to be questioned.
2. Dassault Rafale & Eurofighter Typhoon – Europe’s Flagships
Europe’s best warplanes, the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon, are among the most expensive to operate. It takes about $125 million to field a Rafale, which is known for its exceptional maneuverability, cutting-edge avionics, and versatility to perform a wide range of missions. The Eurofighter Typhoon, with its average export model at $117 million, easily pushes far above that once development costs are added in, sometimes reaching as high as $250 million per plane. Each of the jets possesses supersonic cruise, air superiority, and precision strike capabilities, and they are cornerstones for European air defense. Their lower production runs compared to American programs only add to their per-unit prices being high.
1. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor – The Air Superiority Fighter Without Compare
Number one on the list is the F-22 Raptor, still one of the most technologically advanced fighter aircraft ever constructed. Officially, the flyaway price tag was around $143 million, but when program costs are factored in, that number jumps to more than $334 million per plane.
Designed from the ground up to reign supreme in the skies, the F-22 combines stealth, suicidal speed, and thrust-vectoring engines that give it unmatched agility. Only 186 were produced before production ceased, and it remains exclusive to American forces. Even today, the Raptor remains the standard by which other fighters are measured.
The Next Generation – F-47 and the Future of Air Combat
While the F-22 currently dominates, its successor one day will be built. The U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance program, also sometimes called the F-47, will likely cost $160 million to $180 million per plane—although the total cost will undoubtedly be significantly more as technology progresses.
Its sixth-generation design will feature next-generation stealth, autonomous drone incorporation, and an entirely new set of sensors and network connections. Development alone is projected to cost more than $20 billion, a stark reminder that in the unforgiving world of air-to-air combat, being ahead of the game comes at an unprecedented price.
These planes are the epitome of modern air power, fusing stealth, speed, and advanced systems in configurations that push the limits of technology. For the nations that own them, the price is justified by one thing: in air-to-air combat, to be behind is infinitely more expensive than the price of being ahead.