Why Militaries Still Use This 50-Year-Old Attack Aircraft

Many of today’s military aircraft still trace their origins back to designs developed in the 1950s. Platforms like the B-52 Stratofortress, KC-135 tanker, and C-130 transport have undergone decades of upgrades, yet their core airframes remain largely unchanged. These aircraft continue to serve because of their reliability, adaptability, and the ability to integrate modern technology into proven designs.

At the same time, newer fighter jets such as the F-35, Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, J-20, and Su-57 represent entirely modern engineering approaches built around advanced stealth, sensors, and networked warfare capabilities. Despite these technological advancements, many militaries still invest in upgraded or remanufactured versions of older aircraft, balancing cost, performance, and operational needs.

In this slideshow, we examine the range of combat aircraft currently in service around the world, from legacy platforms like the L-39 Albatros to cutting-edge fifth-generation fighters. Using data from FlightGlobal’s 2024 World Air Forces report, we compare how different militaries maintain and modernize their fleets, including how many of these aircraft remain active and where they are deployed.

24. 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

23. KF-21 Boromae

Type: 4.5 generation fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2028
Total aircraft on order: 170
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries buying this aircraft: Indonesia, South Korea

22. 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

21. Su-57 Felon

Type: Fifth-generation stealth aircraft
Year introduced: 2019
Total aircraft on order: 62
Total active aircraft: 14 (As of 2024, Russia reportedly fielded 20–22, but figures are not confirmed.)
Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia

20. Hurkus C

Type: Counter-insurgency attack aircraft
Year introduced: 2018
Total aircraft on order: 24
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries buying this aircraft: Turkey

19. F-35 Lightning II

Type: Fifth-generation strike fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2016
Total aircraft on order: 2703
Total active aircraft: over 970
Militaries buying this aircraft: United States, Israel, Poland, Canada

18. HAL Tejas

Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2016
Total aircraft on order: 180
Total active aircraft: 32
Militaries buying this aircraft: India

17. Su-34 Fullback

Type: Strike fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2014
Total aircraft on order: 4
Total active aircraft: 134
Militaries buying this aircraft: Russia

16. 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

15. 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

14. 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

13. FA-50 GF/PL Golden Eagle

Type: Light attack aircraft
Year introduced: 2013
Total aircraft on order: 82
Total active aircraft: 2
Militaries buying this aircraft: Poland, Malaysia

12. Eurofighter Typhoon

Type: 4.5 generation fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 2003 (Development dates back to the 1980s.)
Total aircraft on order: 157
Total active aircraft: 296
Militaries buying this aircraft: Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia

11. Dassault Rafale

Type: 4.5 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

10. 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

9. 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

8. 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
J-15 = Chinese carrier-based fighter, introduced in 2013.
Su-30 = two-seat multirole fighter, introduced 1990s.
Su-33 = Russian carrier fighter, introduced mid-1990s

7. AT-802 L/U Air Tractor

Type: Light aircraft
Year introduced: 2000s-2010s
Total aircraft on order: 87
Total active aircraft: 0
Militaries buying this aircraft: Kenya, United States

6. 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

5. IA-63 Pampa

Type: Trainer/light attack aircraft
Year introduced: 1988
Total aircraft on order: 5
Total active aircraft: 10
Militaries buying this aircraft: Argentina

4. 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

3. 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

2. F-16 Fighting Falcon

Type: Fourth-generation fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1979
Total aircraft on order: 237
Total active aircraft: 202
Militaries buying this aircraft: Ukraine, Taiwan, Romania, Morocco

1. F-15 Eagle

Type: Air superiority fighter aircraft
Year introduced: 1976 (Newer variants like the F-15EX (2021+) are substantially modernized)
Total aircraft on order: 162
Total active aircraft: 410
Militaries buying this aircraft: Indonesia, Qatar, United States