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| 10 List of Active Fighter Jets And Most Widely Used By Various Countries |
International Military - Fighter jets have an important role in the defense of a country and a changing factor on the battlefield. Several combat aircraft that were considered effective were produced quite a lot and their use period continued to be extended.
During the Cold War era, several fighter jets were known, such as the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, and Mikoyan MiG-21. In the modern era, which is entering the era of the sixth generation of fighter jets, it is known that several fighters are widely used and have a long life.
The following is a list of 10 fighter jets that are widely produced and are still in use today.
1. Sukhoi Su-24 (377 Units) / Russia
The Sukhoi Su-24 fighter jet flew for the first time in 1967 and was codenamed "Fencer" by NATO. The Russian air force announced in 2012 that it would replace all Su-24s with the more modern Su-34 by 2020.
Russia is estimated to still operate aircraft with this swinging wing design as many as 294 Fencer units. Apart from Russia, several countries using the Su-24 are Algeria (23 aircraft), Iran (23), Libya (2), Syria (20), Sudan (3) and Ukraine (12).
The Su-24 is an all-weather tactical bomber operated by two pilots in a side-by-side configuration. This aircraft has strong power and is capable of taking off even from airfields that are not properly prepared.
2. Northrop F-5 (396 Units) / United States
The Northrop F-5 fighter jet is one of the few examples of successful US-made fighters, especially overseas. Designed as a fighter and light bomber, many F-5 variants were produced, such as the F-5A/B Freedom Fighter and the upgraded F-5E/F Tiger II.
The first flight of the F-5 prototype was made on July 30, 1959 and until 1987 there were about 2,246 series engines produced. South Korea is currently the largest user with 194 jets (158 F-5E and 36 F-5F). In Europe, the Swiss Air Force still uses 29 F-5E Tiger IIs, in the red and white “Partrouille Suisse” aerobatic team. Iran is also developing F-fighter jets for several variants, such as Azarakhsh, Saeqeh and Kowsar.
3. Sukhoi Su-25 (485 Units) / Russia
The Su-25 Frogfoot fighter was developed as a classic attack aircraft in the late 1960s. The aircraft first flew on 22 February 1975 and more than 1,000 were produced, most of which were exported.
Apart from Russia (200 aircraft), a number of air forces in Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia use the Su-25 Frogfoot. Peru also has 18 Su-25 Frogfoot aircraft and Russia is developing the latest version of the Su-25M3. Russian colloquialism knows the Su-25 by the nickname "Gratsch" (fortress) because of this ground attack aircraft's special focus on endurance. The windshield is made of armored glass, the cockpit is surrounded by a welded titanium cladding 24 millimeters thick.
4. Eurofghter Typhoon (553 Units)
The Eurofighter Typhoon was originally created as Europe's answer to the Warsaw Pact MiG 29 and Su 27 aircraft. The Eurofighter Typhoon fighter took off for the first time in 1994 and has been known as the "Typhoon" since 1997.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is now known as a multi-purpose fighter that can perform a variety of roles. Series production began in 2003, and the first operational engine entered service in 2006. The Eurofighter is operated by the armed forces of Saudi Arabia (72 aircraft), Oman (12) and Kuwait (28), Qatar has ordered 24 Typhoons. Austria also deployed 15 Eurofighters from Tranche 1.
5. Chengdu J-7 / F-7 (810 Units) / China
In the 1960s, China began building a replica of the Soviet Mikoyan MiG-21, later known as the Chengdu J-7. This aircraft first flew on January 17, 1966 and was produced in various versions.
The Chinese Air Force is still relying on this aircraft for more than 50 years and operates 388 J-7 fighter jets as of the end of 2018. There are also 30 other aircraft operated by the Chinese Navy.
China also exports its Chengdu J-7 to other countries, such as to Bangladesh in May 2013. More than 2,400 J-7s and F-7s were built, of which around 810 are currently in service. The biggest users besides China are Pakistan with 136 aircraft (plus seven FT-7 trainers) and North Korea with 120 aircraft (as of January 2019).
6. Mikoyan MiG-29 (829 Units) / Russia
The MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter is still in demand, especially after being upgraded with a new version. More than 1,600 MiG-29s have been produced since the first flight on 6 October 1977. The largest current user is Russia with about 250 units and until 2004 there were 24 MiG-29s in Germany.
The latest version of the warplane was once feared by NATO trade under the name MiG-29M, but the Russian armed forces refer to it as the MiG-35. In addition to Klimow's more powerful RD-33K engine, the newest member of the MiG-29 family features a four-fold redundant flight management system and three color multifunction displays in the cockpit.
In addition, the MiG-35 is equipped with the new Schuk NIIR AESA on-board radar. The Russian Air Force plans to replace its aging MiG-29 variant with the new MiG-35 in the medium term. In addition, Egypt and Syria have ordered the aircraft.
7. Boeing F-15 Eagle (924 Units) / United States
F-15 Eagle Designed as a high-performance fighter interceptor, the F-15 Eagle officially entered service with the US Air Force on November 14, 1974. Only 27 months passed between its first flight on July 27, 1972 and commissioning, the F-15 Eagle was already exported to Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Also Read NASA Armed F-15 Fighters with Missiles After the introduction of the modernized F-15E in late 1986, the program received greater attention. Singapore and South Korea also selected the aircraft, including Israel (25 F-15Is), South Korea (60 F-15Ks) and, as of late 2016 Qatar (72 F-15QA).
The two-seat F-15E “Strike Eagle” and its more modern derivatives broaden the F-15's range of applications significantly. As of now, the aircraft is equipped with an extensive air-to-ground arsenal. High payload The F-15E can accommodate more than 11,000 kilograms of weapons.
8. Sukhoi Su-27/Su-30 (1,066 Units) / Russia
Although the Su-27 Flanker fighter is larger and more complex than the MiG-29, it has produced more interceptors than the smaller jets. However, the multipurpose variant of the Su-30 and the manufacture of flankers in China played a major role in this.
The T-10-1 prototype first flew on 20 May 1977 and took off on its maiden flight on 20 April 1981. The Su-27 is similar to its counterpart, the Boeing F-15 Eagle, in several ways, such as the double vertical tail.
In the West, the Su-27 became famous and well-known mainly thanks to the "Pugachev Cobra" spectacular flight maneuver that was first demonstrated by test pilot Wiktor Pugachev at the Paris Aerosalon in 1989. This impressive maneuver demonstrated the special aerodynamics of the Su-27.
In the two-seat Su-30 variant, the aircraft evolves into a multi-purpose fighter and fighter-bomber. To this day this fighter is the backbone of the Russian air force and there are as many as 408 Su-27, Su-30 and Su-35 "Super Flankers" fighter jets currently operating.
9. Boeing F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet (1,090 Units) / United States
The F/A-18 Hornet prototype took off on 18 November 1978 on its maiden flight. Most of the Hornets in service today are operated by the US Navy and Marine Corps. Other users are Australia, Finland, Canada, Kuwait, Malaysia, Switzerland and Spain.
The twin-engine F-18 fighter jet is based on the Northrop design and adapted for carrier use. As the US Navy's standard fighter, it replaced the aging Vought A-7 Corsair II, McDonnell F-4 Phantom II, and the larger Grumman F-14 Tomcat.
The US developed the F/A-18E Super Hornet which was nearly 30 percent larger than the initial Hornet. The Bundeswehr (German Air Force) is also currently interested in the EloKa version of the “Super Hornet”, the EA-18 Growler.
10. Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon (2,280 Units) / United States
With a total of 2,280 units produced, the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft accounts for around 15 percent of the global fighter jet fleet. This made the single-engine fighter jet, which took off for the first time on 2 February 1974, the most widely produced.
Thanks to heavy orders from the US and Europe, the F-16, originally designed by General Dynamics, achieved high numbers from its inception. Their relatively low purchase price also makes them attractive to smaller countries.
The F-16 quickly evolved into the new NATO standard fighter. Numerous upgrades and ongoing modernization programs ensure that the powerful eagle is far from old. The largest current user of the F-16 is the US, followed by Turkey, Israel, Egypt, South Korea and Greece. More than 4,500 units have been built or are still being ordered.