Ranked: The 10 most expensive fighter jets ever built
August 31, 2025
In the ever-evolving theatre of aerial warfare, the fighter jet remains the undisputed apex predator. These marvels of engineering don’t just push the boundaries of speed, stealth, and lethality; they represent the zenith of national pride, defence strategy, and technological sophistication.
As defence budgets balloon and great powers seek air superiority, the price tag of maintaining dominance in the skies climbs to astonishing heights. From cutting-edge stealth aircraft to multi-role tactical machines, today’s top-tier fighters cost more than some nations’ entire military budgets.
In this curated guide, we explore the top 10 most expensive fighter jets in the world, a showcase of aerial prowess, where innovation meets exclusivity, and every aircraft is a multi-million-pound masterpiece. While exact per-unit prices will vary depending on configuration and other factors, these are the most widely agreed-upon valuations.
This is not just a list; it’s a tribute to the elite class of airborne giants that rule modern skies.
1. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor – $143 million
A paragon of 5th-generation stealth warfare, the F-22 Raptor is the gold standard in air superiority. Developed by Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force, the Raptor was designed to dominate the skies with a lethal blend of stealth, supercruise, and unmatched manoeuvrability.
Its integrated avionics and sensor fusion give it unparalleled situational awareness, allowing pilots to detect and engage threats before being seen. With thrust-vectoring engines, it can outmanoeuvre any known fighter. It excels in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, making it a true multi-role platform, although its primary purpose is clear: absolute aerial dominance.
Despite its unmatched capabilities, production was capped at 183 units, making the F-22 as rare as it is powerful. Its staggering cost reflects the cutting-edge technology onboard, but also the complexity of maintaining such an advanced airframe. Even years after production ended, nothing flies quite like a Raptor.
2. Dassault Rafale – $125 million
France’s pride in the sky, the Dassault Rafale is more than just a fighter. It’s a strategic tool of national independence. Designed to perform virtually every mission in the combat playbook from nuclear deterrence to reconnaissance, this omnirole aircraft gives its operators versatility with elegance.
Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale’s adaptability has won it international acclaim, securing orders from eight countries. Its design philosophy allows it to conduct multiple mission types in a single sortie, offering flexibility unmatched by many of its peers. It’s capable of operating from aircraft carriers and austere bases, and its survivability is enhanced by advanced EW systems and reduced radar signatures.
Its premium price reflects its comprehensive capabilities, and for nations like France, India, and the UAE, the Rafale isn’t just an aircraft; it’s a statement of sovereignty and self-reliance.
3. Eurofighter Typhoon – $117 million
A symbol of European defence collaboration, the Eurofighter Typhoon brings together the industrial might of the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Designed as a swing-role aircraft, the Typhoon delivers performance in both air-to-air combat and precision ground strikes, adapting fluidly to dynamic battlefields.
Powered by twin EJ200 engines, it boasts outstanding agility and acceleration. With its CAPTOR-E AESA radar and PIRATE infrared sensor, the Typhoon provides lethal reach and awareness. Its electronic defensive systems ensure survivability in contested airspace, and its integration with both European and US weapons offers tactical versatility.
Continuously upgraded and expected to remain in service until at least 2060, the Typhoon is more than a fighter;it’s a long-term commitment to European air power.
4. Chengdu J-20 – $110 million
Nicknamed the “Mighty Dragon,” the Chengdu J-20 is China’s stealthy entry into the 5th-generation fighter club. Developed by the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation for the PLAAF, it’s a symbol of China’s rapid rise as a technological and military superpower.
Featuring canard-delta wings, stealth shaping, and internal weapons bays, the J-20 was built for air superiority and long-range strike. It can carry an array of sophisticated missiles, including the PL-15 and PL-21, and is designed to challenge Western air dominance in the Indo-Pacific.
The J-20’s true capabilities remain closely guarded, but its presence alone has altered the strategic calculus in Asia. It’s China’s answer to the F-22 and F-35-and at $110 million, a bold declaration of its intent to shape the future of aerial combat.
5. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II – $109 million
Perhaps the most prolific 5th-generation fighter, the F-35 Lightning II is a global force multiplier. Designed under the Joint Strike Fighter programme, it serves multiple branches of the US military and allied nations worldwide in three variants: A (conventional), B (STOVL), and C (carrier-based).
At its core, the F-35 is a digital combat platform. Its sensor fusion, stealth profile, and networked data-sharing capabilities redefine modern warfare. The pilot’s helmet itself is a technological marvel, offering 360-degree situational awareness.
With over 1,000 units delivered globally and partnerships spanning nine nations, the F-35 is not only a dominant fighter; it’s a blueprint for coalition airpower in the 21st century.
6. Boeing F-15EX Eagle II – $97 million
An evolution of the legendary Eagle, the F-15EX Eagle II proves that legacy platforms can still lead the charge. Designed to carry more weapons than any other fighter, the EX model boasts digital fly-by-wire controls, upgraded sensors, and the ability to carry hypersonic weapons.
Built for speed, payload, and survivability, the F-15EX can hold 12 AMRAAMs or mix ordnance for multiple mission profiles. It’s also future-ready, acting as a control hub for unmanned systems in development under the Air Force’s vision of collaborative combat aircraft.
For a fraction of the cost of a stealth fighter, the F-15EX brings heavyweight firepower and endurance, proving that raw capability still has its place in modern air warfare.
7. Sukhoi Su-35 – $85 million
Russia’s heavyweight, the Su-35 is an air superiority monster born from the venerable Su-27 Flanker. With thrust-vectoring engines, high agility, and long-range missiles, the Su-35 is a dogfighter’s dream and a missile truck in one sleek frame.
Despite lacking true 5th-gen stealth, it compensates with speed, manoeuvrability, and advanced avionics. Its use in Syria and Ukraine has demonstrated its capability in real-world combat, providing air cover and intercepting enemy aircraft with confidence.
With over 130 units in service and more being exported, the Su-35 remains a potent force on the global stage, particularly in theatres where sheer power and performance still rule the skies.
8. Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen – $85 million
Sweden’s answer to complex modern threats, the JAS 39 Gripen is a smart, cost-effective solution for air forces seeking flexibility without sacrificing performance. The latest E/F variants bring AESA radar, improved range, and superior electronic warfare capabilities.
What sets the Gripen apart is its low operating cost, rapid turnaround time, and ability to operate from short or rugged runways. Designed for interoperability and built for quick upgrades, the Gripen is a modular fighter that fits into a modern networked battlefield with ease.
For nations that prioritise resilience, agility, and cost-efficiency, the Gripen represents the sweet spot in fighter design.
9. Boeing E/A-18G Growler – $80 million
Electronic warfare has become a battlefield of its own, and the EA-18G Growler leads the charge. Based on the Super Hornet, the Growler trades bombs for jammers, disrupting enemy radars and communications to ensure safe skies for allied aircraft.
Capable of offensive electronic attack (OEA), escort jamming, and signal intelligence (SIGINT), the Growler is indispensable in modern strike packages. Its ability to operate from aircraft carriers adds strategic mobility to its already versatile role.
As the only electronic attack aircraft in production today, the Growler is a vital asset for any air force seeking dominance in the electromagnetic spectrum.
10. Shenyang FC-31 – $70 million
China’s answer to the F-35, the FC-31 Gyrfalcon is still in the prototype phase but has already stirred interest worldwide. With stealth shaping, internal weapons bays, and twin engines, it shares visual cues with both the F-22 and F-35, earning it comparisons with Western 5th-gen fighters.
Expected to serve both the Chinese navy and export customers, the FC-31 could become the most accessible stealth fighter on the global market. Its avionics and performance metrics are reportedly on par with Western designs, yet it comes at a lower price point.
If it lives up to its promise, the FC-31 could rewrite the rules of access to stealth technology for developing air forces.
Bonus: The B-2 Spirit – $2.2 billion
While not a traditional fighter jet, the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit remains the most expensive military aircraft ever built.
Designed as a stealth strategic bomber, the B-2 can penetrate the most heavily defended airspace on the planet and deliver nuclear or conventional payloads undetected. So far, only 21 aircraft have been built, and 19 are currently in service.
