![]() ![]() Very little is known about the Chinese 5th generation jet. That, as well as similarity to previous models of the F-15, makes the F-15EX an attractive aircraft for many countries. Its operating cost is supposed to be “only” $29,000 per hour though, and the US government only hopes to bring the operating cost of the F-35A to $36,000 by 2024. ![]() That affordability comes mostly in operational costs though, as the aircraft itself is more expensive than the F-35A. It is supposed to replace older C and D models while being more affordable than the most advanced 5th generation jets. ![]() The F-15 itself was not supposed to be cheap, and its latest variant, the F-15EX, demonstrates that. McDonnell Douglas F-15EX Strike Eagle: $87.7 million It explains why Russia has struggled to find a customer to this jet, and although some counties are reportedly interested – besides China and Egypt who already bought some – in comparison with the Su-30, the Flanker E seems like a bit of a dud. While the Su-33 and the Su-37 are not for sale, the Su-34 and the Su-30 (as well as its numerous variants) all cost more than twice cheaper than the Su-35. Its price may also seem a bit confusing: being an upgrade to the Soviet-era Su-27, the Su-35 belongs to the same family as the Su-30, Su-33, Su-34, and Su-37. So, at least so far, the Su-35 remains the most expensive Russian jet. Of course, no contracts are so far signed for the Su-57 and its cost is unofficial and speculative. In fact, its export price is bigger than that of the Su-57, the latest Russian 5th generation fighter. Russian fighter jets have a reputation of being cheap. It is only in the latest years that Saab managed to reduce the price, and with the reduction, the Gripen once again became a sought-after jet on the international market. In 2012, the new-generation JAS 39 was expected to cost over $100 million. New radar, engine, avionics, improved weapons systems – very little remained of the old Gripen. An explanation of that lies in jets’ differences: almost everything, except for the airframe, got upgraded. While they are still much cheaper to operate than 5th generation fighter jets, the cost of one such jet has more than doubled. Its latest variants, the E and F, changed that. Its cost could go as low as $30 million per piece, a bargain for such an advanced machine. The Swedish JAS 39 Gripen, of variants C and D, is notorious for being one of the cheapest new 4 or 4.5 generation fighter jets around. It is the cheapest one, and since the price disparity is so vast, don’t be alarmed if you meet its brothers further down the list. The operational costs of the newest American jet are some of the highest in the world, so the aircraft is relatively cheap to buy but very expensive to maintain.Īlso, the F-35A is just one of the three very different variants. It went down in history as the most expensive weapon system ever, and while Lockheed Martin managed to drive down the cost of a single off-the-shelf F-35A to less than $80 million, this price tag is just the tip of the iceberg. ![]() Lockheed Martin F-35A: $77.9 millionĮverything about the F-35 is complicated. While it can be equipped with both air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, it is much too specialized to be considered in the same vein as regular fighter jets. The most expensive variant of this jet is the EA-18G Growler though, a dedicated electronic warfare aircraft with a price tag of up to $100 million. It brings the Super Hornet in line with the latest 4.5 generation fighter jets, but drives the price up as well. The latest upgrade of the F/A-18, the Block III configuration, features vast improvements to avionics and weapon systems. Although originally – and primarily – a carrier-based aircraft, it has found a fair share of interest from countries that intend to use it only as a ground-based one. The F/A-18 Super Hornet came in the late 90s, replacing older Hornets of A, B, C, and D variants. Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: up to $67.4 million While we may never know the price of the F-21 or the F-16V, the cost of a single F-16 Block 70 gives an insight into how much a top-of-the-line jet, based on the venerable F-16 airframe, may cost. The Block 70 and 72 configurations include much of the upgrades intended for the F-16V, and most likely are very similar to the F-21, a jet Lockheed Martin has offered to India. Its older variants cost roughly $30 million apiece – cheaper than the vast majority of contemporary fighters – but the most advanced ones are really quite pricey. The F-16 was created as a light and maneuverable fighter jet that would offer an affordable alternative to the F-15. ![]()
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