The Fastest Combat Aircraft in NATO Can Reach 1,650 MPH

U.S. officials are scheduled to meet with Ukrainian delegations on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Saudi Arabia to discuss a ceasefire proposal in the Black Sea. This follows the previous Russia-U.S. talks held on Monday. Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, spoke to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer regarding recent Russia-Ukraine talks. According to Clark, the negotiations are not likely to have a big impact on the conflict.

NATO has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and continues to provide support for Ukraine’s defense. NATO’s influence on world events in part depends on each member maintaining a powerful military to act as a deterrence. Part of NATO’s strength is in its members’ air force fleets. 24/7 Wall St. took a close look at which combat aircraft in NATO can reach the highest speeds. (Also see which NATO countries are ramping up defense spending.)

24/7 Wall St. identified the fastest combat aircraft in NATO with a review of the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered our list of aircraft by top speed. We also added data on the type of aircraft, year introduced, and number in active service. Finally, we excluded trainer aircraft from the list.

(This article was updated on March 25, 2025, to reflect recent news regarding recent ceasefire talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S.)

Why Are We Covering This Now?

With tensions escalating around the world, including Russia’s ongoing attack in its invasion against Ukraine, NATO plays a vital role in keeping a stable global environment. Current events regarding a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine may be key to whether the ongoing conflict continues on, or can begin to come to an end. Understanding the combat aircraft in NATO’s arsenal is important because they are at the heart of the alliance’s defensive capabilities and its influence on global security. Each aircraft serves a distinct purpose within NATO, ranging from air superiority fighters to long-range bombers, and even electronic warfare aircraft that disrupt enemy systems. Knowing which aircraft NATO countries deploy gives insight into the overall military strategies of the alliance.

Here is a look at the fastest combat aircraft in NATO:

26. AC-130W Stinger II

• Type: Special operations fixed-wing gunship
• Year introduced: 2010
• Active aircraft: 3
• Top speed: 300 mph

25. AC-130J Ghostrider

• Type: Ground attack / close-air support
• Year introduced: 2017
• Active aircraft: 29
• Top speed: 416 mph

24. A-10C Thunderbolt II

• Type: Close-air support / forward air control
• Year introduced: 1976
• Active aircraft: 270
• Top speed: 439 mph

23. Aero L-159 ALCA

• Type: Light combat aircraft
• Year introduced: 2000
• Active aircraft: 16
• Top speed: 582 mph

22. Su-25 Grach Frogfoot

• Type: Combat aircraft
• Year introduced: 1981
• Active aircraft: 5
• Top speed: 590 mph

21. B-52H Stratofortress

• Type: Long range strategic heavy bomber
• Year introduced: 1955
• Active aircraft: 72
• Top speed: 595 mph

20. B-2 Spirit

• Type: Strategic stealth heavy bomber
• Year introduced: 1997
• Active aircraft: 17
• Top speed: 628 mph

19. AMX

• Type: Light strike / advanced trainer aircraft
• Year introduced: 1989
• Active aircraft: 19
• Top speed: 651 mph

18. AV-8B/+ Harrier II

• Type: Short take-off and vertical landing strike aircraft
• Year introduced: 1985
• Active aircraft: 113
• Top speed: 665 mph

17. Su-22 Fitter

• Type: Strike fighter
• Year introduced: 1970
• Active aircraft: 32
• Top speed: 718 mph

16. B-1B Lancer

• Type: Strategic heavy bomber
• Year introduced: 1986
• Active aircraft: 42
• Top speed: 833 mph

15. KAI T-50 / FA-50 Golden Eagle

• Type: Light attack aircraft / advanced trainer
• Year introduced: 2005
• Active aircraft: 2
• Top speed: 990 mph

14. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

• Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1999
• Active aircraft: 421
• Top speed: 1,187 mph

13. F/A-18 Hornet

• Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1983
• Active aircraft: 331
• Top speed: 1,190 mph

12. F-35A Lightning II

• Type: Multirole 5th generation aircraft
• Year introduced: 2016
• Active aircraft: 488
• Top speed: 1,199 mph

11. F-16C Fighting Falcon

• Type: Multirole 4th generation fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1978
• Active aircraft: 1185
• Top speed: 1,317 mph

10. JAS 39 Gripen (Griffen)

• Type: Multirole 4th generation fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1997
• Active aircraft: 95
• Top speed: 1370 mph

9. Dassault Rafale

• Type: Multirole fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2001
• Active aircraft: 151
• Top speed: 1,383 mph

8. MiG-21 Fishbed

• Type: Multirole fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1959
• Active aircraft: 11
• Top speed: 1386 mph

7. Mirage 2000-5F

• Type: Multirole fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1979
• Active aircraft: 120
• Top speed: 1,453 mph

6. F-4 Phantom II

• Type: Strike fighter
• Year introduced: 1960
• Active aircraft: 80
• Top speed: 1,473 mph

5. Panavia Tornado IDS

• Type: Low-level strike aircraft
• Year introduced: 1979
• Active aircraft: 104
• Top speed: 1491 mph

4. MiG-29 Fulcrum

• Type: Lightweight multirole fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1984
• Active aircraft: 34
• Top speed: 1,519 mph

3. Eurofighter Typhoon

• Type: 4th generation multirole aircraft
• Year introduced: 2003
• Active aircraft: 411
• Top speed: 1,550 mph

2. F-22 Raptor

• Type: 5th generation air dominance fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2005
• Active aircraft: 178
• Top speed: 1,599 mph

1. F-15EX Eagle II

• Type: Combat aircraft
• Year introduced: 1976
• Active aircraft: 377
• Top speed: 1,650 mph

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