Top 8 most formidable air-to-air combat fighters in the world: Which name is at number 1?

Military Watch (MW) magazine ranks the 8 best air-to-air combat fighters in the world, but notes that the order in which they are given is not indicative of the ranking. The position of these planes will be chosen by the readers themselves.

The best military aircraft in the world today

1. J-20A (China)

Delivered to the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLA) in 2016, the J-20 today represents one of only two types of 5th generation fighter aircraft in the world that are both manufactured and equipped at the Chinese level. squadron, similar to the F-35.

Improved J-20A variant entered production in 2019

However, unlike the F-35, the J-20 uses a heavy twin-engine airframe that can accommodate larger radars and more weapons. That also allows the aircraft to fly farther, faster at higher altitudes and with greater maneuverability.

The improved J-20A variant that entered production in 2019 further improved the aircraft's stealth and integrated the new WS-10C engine, making it the only 5th generation fighter ( currently in production only) have super-precision capabilities, and the ability to fly supersonic for long periods of time without the use of an afterburner.

The J-20 is appreciated for its ability to reach short and long-range air-to-air missiles PL-10, along with the PL-15, of which the PL-15 has a longer range than its Western rivals and equipped with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

The J-20 is being produced at a very rapid pace. Its rapidly enhanced capabilities have led many analysts to rate it as the world's leading air superiority fighter.

2. F-22 (USA)

The F-22 uses thrust vectoring engines to improve maneuverability.

The F-22A Raptor joined the US Air Force in December 2005 after years of delays and post-Cold War budget cuts. The Raptor's two F119 engines are revolutionary, and have given the plane more thrust than any other engine in the world. Meanwhile, the stealth ability of the F-22 is considered superior in many aspects.

The F-22 uses thrust vectoring engines to improve maneuverability, however, weaknesses in the avionics significantly hinder its performance at all ranges, not just compared to the F-22. -35 and J-20, but even with modern variants of 4th generation fighters such as F-15EX or F-16 Block 70/72.

Production of the F-22 was halted in 2009, less than three and a half years after the aircraft entered service. Extremely high maintenance requirements and relatively low durability are also among the factors that make the F-22 likely to be 'retired' soon.

3. Su-57 (Russia)

Su-57 is considered to have very high potential in all roles.

The Su-57 is Russia's second attempt at a fifth-generation air superiority fighter, after the ambitious MiG 1.42 program collapsed due to a slowdown in the economy and Russian industry in the 1990s.

The new fighter aircraft made its maiden flight in 2010, although program delays prevented it from entering service at squadron level.

In return, the Su-57 is the only 5th generation aircraft that has been used in combat when conducting missile attacks against rebel forces in Syria. It also boasts a host of unique features never seen on American or Chinese aircraft.

Despite its lower stealth capabilities than other fighters of its generation, the Su-57 benefits from access to specialized radars that provide a very high level of situational awareness and is capable of tracking 60 air target at the same time.

Su-57 is considered to have very high potential in all roles. Besides, it has a more balanced, multi-tasking design than the two models developed in China and the US.

4. F-35A/C (USA)

The F-35 was developed primarily for air-to-ground operations.

The F-35 is a light fighter, designed to offer a cheaper solution than the F-22.

The ability to aggregate data from a broader network of information gives the F-35 a significant situational awareness advantage at longer ranges. Meanwhile, the use of helmet-mounted display technology allows the F-35 to strike targets at difficult angles that the F-22 cannot.

However, the F-35 is limited by its low maneuverability, small payload, and poorer stealth capabilities than the F-22.

The F-35 was developed primarily for air-to-ground operations, but its sophistication makes secondary air-to-air combat potentially very powerful if current problems arise. at the design part is solved.

5. MiG-31BM/BSM (Russia)

This is the fastest modern fighter in the service of Russia.

The MiG-31 is said to be the most powerful fighter/interceptor in Russia's service. There are also specialized variants for anti-satellite operations, such as the MiG-31K version armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.

The MiG-31 is equipped with radars larger than those found on any other fighter or interceptor aircraft in the world. It is also the fastest modern fighter in Russia's service, with a speed of up to Mach 2.8.

It can fly supersonic for long periods of time, has high endurance and is capable of operating in extreme temperature conditions, as well as landing on runways. This makes them ideal for defending the Arctic region that Russia is in dispute with the West.

However, will this aircraft model continue to be modernized in the mid-2020s? That depends a lot on how much progress is made towards the 'successor' of the MiG-31, which is currently under development under the PAK DP (MiG-41) program.

6. J-16/J-15B (China)

The J-16 builds on the extremely durable Su-27 design.

China purchased its first Su-27 Flanker fighter from the Soviet Union in 1991, with three delivered that year. Over time, Beijing invested heavily in local manufacturing licenses, from which to develop potentially much larger indigenous variants.

The J-16 builds on the extremely durable Su-27 design, it has a large sensor capacity and excellent flight performance despite its limited stealth capabilities. It features fifth-generation avionics and advanced weapons, most notably the PL-10 and PL-15 missiles.

Meanwhile, the J-15B is a derivative of the Flanker that integrates many of the same technologies deployed by the Chinese Navy for carrier operations. This model has a single-seat design instead of two-seat, more focused on air superiority and has many of the same performance strengths as the J-16.

The J-16's avionics are also used as the basis for China's modernization of older Flanker variants such as the J-11B series. The upgrade package includes modern sensors, missiles, data link systems…

7. Su-35S (Russia)

The Su-35S boasts the ability to reach three types of radar.

Joining the Russian Air Force in early 2014, the Su-35S is derived from the Su-27 Flanker and has significantly benefited from an advanced development program such as the Su-27M, Su-37 and Su-35BM.

The Su-35S boasts access to three types of radar, including two L-band AESA radars optimized for electronic warfare and anti-stealth missions. This aircraft also uses more powerful engines than any other Flanker model, only slightly weaker than the F119 engine on the F-22 in terms of thrust.

Although lacking the advanced avionics, stealth capabilities, and long-range missiles of China's Flanker variants, the Su-35 has a much longer range, can climb faster, and is maneuverable. better. It is also designed to be able to confront NATO's 5th generation jets in particular.

8. F-15EX (USA)

The F-15EX can carry a large number of air-to-air missiles.

Entering service from 2021, the F-15EX lacks the advanced stealth capabilities of the F-22 but outperforms it in most other respects.

It has much greater flexibility and can deploy a variety of air-to-ground and anti-ship weapons, integrates more powerful radars, and infrared search and track systems. Meanwhile, the much lower maintenance requirements allow the F-15EX to have a higher level of operational readiness.

The F-15EX can carry a large number of air-to-air missiles. In the future, it can also deploy oversized missiles with extremely long ranges.

The F-15EX is more durable than the F-22, it is also equipped with a helmet display technology to attack targets at difficult angles.