Fighter jets have come a long way from the early days of World War I. Even though air combat isn’t as common as it used to be, there’s still a need for top-flight aircraft, and advances in technology means that several jets are capable of speeds many would have written off as science fiction. Many great aircraft such as the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird retired, yet lightning-fast engineering marvels remain in service today including fighter jets you can buy for less money than a new Ferrari.
Updated September 2022: Fighter jets from America, Russia, and China are constantly advancing. We’ve reviewed this list to add more details and information surrounding the fastest military aircraft still in operation today.
A list of the world’s fastest fighter jets still in service changes all the time. Militaries today are updating (and spending more on) its most expensive fighter jets to keep their arsenals up-to-date. Today’s list of super advanced fifth-generation fighter jets is only growing. Here are the fastest military aircraft currently in service, ranked slowest to fastest.
Meant for both air-to-air combat and strike missions, the Chengdu J-10 can achieve Mach 2.2 thanks to the Russian Lyulka-Saturn AL-31FN engine. Dubbed the Vigorous Dragon, it’s believed there are 240 active today.
The J-10B received an upgraded engine, which means it could reach higher speeds. According to Airforce Technology, the J-10 can reach a maximum speed of 2,327km/h, which comes out just shy of Mach 2.2.
MiG-35 Fulcrum-F: Mach 2.25
The Mikoyan MiG-35 is easily one of the most intimidating vehicles the Soviet Union produced. Making its official debut in 2019, the MiG-35 Fulcrum-F is Russia’s latest fighter jet and promising to be one of its best ever. The MiG-35 is really an upgraded MiG-29M, one of the Soviet’s most feared aircraft.
Su-35 Flanker-E: Mach 2.25
Despite being one of the newer jets in Russian service, the Su-35 Flanker-E’s development started as far back as the early 1980s. The USSR’s collapse put off its development, and it finally saw flight in 2008. The fact that it boasts a Saturn 117S engine initially developed for a rocket proves it can roar to top speeds yet handle nicely.
F-15E Strike Eagle: Mach 2.5
Needing a leg up on the Soviets in the 1980s, the U.S. helped put together the F-15E Strike Eagle, a superiority fighter too deadly to retire. Today, it remains one of the fastest jets in the armed forces. It’s also one of the most used during the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
