Military aviation doesn’t come with a low price tag, particularly when referring to the most recent generation of fighter aircraft. Governments invest astronomical amounts in these vehicles, pursuing air supremacy, cutting-edge technology, and battlefield control.
But which of these planes has the highest price tag? Here’s the countdown of the top ten costliest fighters in 2024, ranging from the “budget” stealth planes to the crown of the skies.
10. Shenyang FC-31/J-35 – $70 million
Shenyang FC-31 (also referred to as J-31 or Gyrfalcon) is a fifth-generation stealth fighter developed to be flexible and export-friendly. Radar-absorbing lines, dual engines for redundancy, and an internal weapons bay are part of its design, which gives the stealth performance at a small percentage of the F-355 cost.
Another carrier-enabled variant, the J-35, is under development for naval aviation. Depending on production volume, the cost might be between $70 million and $85 million per aircraft.
9. Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet – $73 million
The Super Hornet has been the backbone of carrier-based aviation for over two decades. Larger and more capable than the original Hornet, it offers better range, payload, and mission endurance. Available in single-seat (F/A-18E) and two-seat (F/A-18F) versions, prices run from $67 million to $73 million. The E/A-18G Growler electronic warfare variant pushes that up to $80 million. In service since 2001, it has excelled in both strike and air-to-air missions.
8. Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen – $85 million
Sweden’s Gripen E/F is evidence that fighters nowadays don’t have to cost an arm and a leg to be cutting-edge. AESA radar, AI-backed systems, and superior data-link integration make it a superior battlefield awareness. Its single-seat E and two-seat F variants are low-maintenance and highly versatile, which justifies the $85 million sticker price for nations that want a capable multirole jet.
7. Sukhoi Su-35 – $85 million
The Su-35 is a 4.5-generation air dominance fighter, derived from the Su-27 Flanker. Its thrust-vectoring engines allow it to outturn most stealth aircraft when fighting close. Although it is not radar invisible, its speed, maneuverability, and advanced avionics make it competitive. The price is typically about $85 million, though production is cheaper when done at home compared to exports.
6. Boeing F-15EX Eagle II – $97 million
The F-15EX upgrades the iconic F-15 platform to unprecedented levels, flying up to Mach 2.5 and carrying more than 13 tons of ordnance. Intended to be a non-stealthy “missile truck,” it complements stealth fighters by bringing overwhelming firepower to the battlefield. Initially projected to cost less than $80 million, it has increased to $97 million. It will replace older F-15C/D models and will be around for decades to come.
5. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II – $109 million
The costliest weapons program to date, the F-35, is estimated to cost more than $1.7 trillion throughout its lifespan. Existing in three variants—the A (conventional takeoff), B (short takeoff/vertical landing), and C (carrier-based)—its stealth, advanced sensors, and battlefield networking are unrivaled. The STOVL F-35B is the costliest at an average of $109 million per aircraft. Delays and increasing requirements have progressively inflated procurement costs.
4. Chengdu J-20 – $110 million
The J-20 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed to match the best Western fighters. It has internal weapon bays, stealth paints, and new WS-10C engines for prolonged supersonic capabilities. Future variants will have thrust-vectoring for increased maneuverability. The analysts estimate its cost at around $110 million, with the overall investment in the project being over $50 billion. The J-20 is now only reserved for domestic use.
3. Eurofighter Typhoon – $117 million
Co-designed by four European countries, the Typhoon feels comfortable in dogfights or multirole operations. With a greater than Mach 2 top speed and almost ideal thrust-to-weight ratio, it’s a combat workhorse. The Captor-E radar, Pirate IRST, and DASS defensive suite are advanced systems that provide it an edge over technology. Export buyers pay about $117 million, but domestic allies receive a hefty discount.
2. Dassault Rafale – $125 million
France’s Dassault Rafale is an honest-to-goodness “do-it-all” fighter plane—air superiority, precision strike, reconnaissance, and nuclear missions included. Its delta wing and canards provide agility, and the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite provides survivability. At about $125 million per plane, it has already achieved huge export success, including a $19 billion order for 80 planes to the UAE.
1. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor – $143 million
The F-22 is still the gold standard for air dominance. Having stealth, supercruise capabilities, and exceptional maneuverability, it’s all but invisible and lethal in combat.
Officially priced at $143 million per copy, actual program costs bring that number closer to $334 million. Only 195 were ever made, and none were exported because of tough US legislation protecting its technology. Even more than ten years past production, the Raptor is still without peer in the skies.
From stealth-capable predators to missile-laden defense platforms, these fighters are the pinnacle of air combat in the modern age—and the billions of dollars nations are willing to shell out to maintain dominance of the skies.