Author: Chris Lange
Source
Many of today’s military aircraft are based on original designs from the 1950s. They have been updated and improved over the years, but the fundamental structures remain similar to the original versions. Amid the latest technology and military advancements seen in fifth-generation fighter jets, today’s militaries regularly purchase and fly aircraft created more than 50 years ago. (This is every aircraft in the U.S. Air Force.)
24/7 Wall St. is taking a look at combat aircraft being ordered by world militaries from older models like the L-39 Albatros to newer fifth-generation fighter jets. To identify the oldest combat aircraft that world militaries are still buying, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered these aircraft chronologically. We also included supplemental data on the type of aircraft, how many of these aircraft are in active service, and what militaries employ these aircraft.
Why Are We Covering This?
Understanding which combat aircraft are used by the militaries around the world provides insight into joint military capabilities and defense strategies. Also knowing what other countries have in their arsenals further explains relative military capabilities.
Here is a look at the oldest combat aircraft on order by the world’s militaries:
25. B-21 Raider
- Type: Strategic long-range stealth bomber aircraft
- Year introduced: 2028
- Total aircraft on order: 100
- Total active aircraft: 0
- Militaries buying this aircraft: United States
24. KF-21 Boromae
- Type: Fifth-generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2028
- Total aircraft on order: 170
- Total active aircraft: 0
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Indonesia, South Korea
23. Calidus B-250 Bader
- Type: Light attack aircraft
- Year introduced: 2021
- Total aircraft on order: 24
- Total active aircraft: 0
- Militaries buying this aircraft: United Arab Emirates
22. Su-57 Felon
- Type: Fifth-generation stealth aircraft
- Year introduced: 2019
- Total aircraft on order: 62
- Total active aircraft: 14
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia
21. Hurkus C
- Type: Counter-insurgency attack aircraft
- Year introduced: 2018
- Total aircraft on order: 24
- Total active aircraft: 0
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Turkey
20. F-35 Lightning II
- Type: Fifth-generation strike fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2016
- Total aircraft on order: 2703
- Total active aircraft: 661
- Militaries buying this aircraft: United States, Israel, Poland, Canada
19. HAL Tejas
- Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2015
- Total aircraft on order: 180
- Total active aircraft: 32
- Militaries buying this aircraft: India
18. Su-34 Fullback
- Type: Strike fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2014
- Total aircraft on order: 4
- Total active aircraft: 134
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia
17. Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine
- Type: Light attack / close-air support aircraft
- Year introduced: 2013
- Total aircraft on order: 12
- Total active aircraft: 0
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Thailand, Tunisia
16. JF-17 Thunder
- Type: Light fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2007
- Total aircraft on order: 47
- Total active aircraft: 128
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Pakistan, Myanmar
15. Chengdu J-10C Vigorous Dragon
- Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2005
- Total aircraft on order: 7
- Total active aircraft: 18
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Pakistan
14. FA-50 GF/PL Golden Eagle
- Type: Light attack aircraft
- Year introduced: 2005
- Total aircraft on order: 82
- Total active aircraft: 2
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Poland, Malaysia
13. Eurofighter Typhoon
- Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2003
- Total aircraft on order: 157
- Total active aircraft: 296
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
12. Dassault Rafale
- Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 2001
- Total aircraft on order: 362
- Total active aircraft: 211
- Militaries buying this aircraft: France, Egypt, Croatia, India, United Arab Emirates
11. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
- Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1999
- Total aircraft on order: 108
- Total active aircraft: 421
- Militaries buying this aircraft: United States, Kuwait
10. JAS 39 Gripen
- Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1997
- Total aircraft on order: 164
- Total active aircraft: 6
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Brazil, Sweden
9. J-15/Su-30/33 Flanker
- Type: Strike fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1996
- Total aircraft on order: 50
- Total active aircraft: 45
- Militaries buying this aircraft: China
8. AT-802 L/U Air Tractor
- Type: Light aircraft
- Year introduced: 1990
- Total aircraft on order: 87
- Total active aircraft: 0
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Kenya, United States
7. Tu-160 Blackjack
- Type: Strategic long-range bomber aircraft
- Year introduced: 1989
- Total aircraft on order: 50
- Total active aircraft: 15
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia
6. IS-64 Pampa
- Type: Light strike aircraft
- Year introduced: 1988
- Total aircraft on order: 5
- Total active aircraft: 10
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Argentina
5. Su-27/30 Flanker
- Type: Air superiority fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1985
- Total aircraft on order: 94
- Total active aircraft: 781
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, India
4. MiG-29/35 Fulcrum
- Type: Light fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1984
- Total aircraft on order: 68
- Total active aircraft: 302
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia, Algeria, Yemen
3. F-16 Fighting Falcon
- Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1978
- Total aircraft on order: 237
- Total active aircraft: 202
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Ukraine, Taiwan, Romania, Morocco
2. F-15 Eagle
- Type: Air superiority fighter aircraft
- Year introduced: 1976
- Total aircraft on order: 162
- Total active aircraft: 410
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Indonesia, Qatar, United States
1. Aero L-39 Albatros
- Type: Light attack aircraft
- Year introduced: 1972
- Total aircraft on order: 4
- Total active aircraft: 0
- Militaries buying this aircraft: Hungary
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The post Militaries Across the World Are Still Buying This 50-Year-Old Attack Aircraft appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..