Today’s Lightest and Heaviest Fighter Jets, Ranked by Weight

A prototype of a new Chinese fighter jet has been spotted flying over traffic during the day in an area near the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation factory. The view of the Chengdu J-36 (its unofficial name) was the clearest view the public has seen of the mysterious jet to date. The images appear to show a heavy fighter jet or bomber aircraft. The aircraft has a triangular, tailless shape and a three-engine design. Experts speculate that the jet will be faster than any jet in the current Chinese fleet. According to Newsweek, the latest public appearance is likely sanctioned by the Chinese government.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to having a lighter versus a heavier combat jet. Heavier jets are designed for heaving bombing and defense, while a lighter aircraft is more adept at stealth and reconnaissance missions. Furthermore, heavier jets can carry more weapons. (Also see a list of modern fighter jets ranked by speed.)

24/7 Wall St. compiled a list of the 42 largest and smallest modern fighter jets around the world using data from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. We ranked the aircraft by their empty weight. Supplemental data regarding manufacturer, speed, and more also came from the Military Factory.

(This article was updated on April 13, 2025, to reflect recent news on China’s latest generation prototype heavy fighter jet.)

Why Are We Covering This Now?

We don’t know when China will officially reveal its latest generation combat jet. The U.S. is in a technological arms race with China, and this latest Chinese aircraft is perhaps a one-up for China. Understanding fighter jets and their size provides insight into global military capabilities and defense strategies. Also, knowing these aircraft helps in threat assessment and the development of effective countermeasures.

Here is a look at the biggest and smallest modern fighter jets:

42. MiG-21 (Fishbed)

• Empty weight: 11,464 lbs
• Type: Single-seat supersonic fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1959
• Manufacturer: Mikoyan-Gurevich
• Country of origin: Former Soviet Union
• Top speed: 1,386 mph

41. AV-8B Harrier II

• Empty weight: 13,977 lbs
• Type: Short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) strike aircraft
• Year introduced: 1985
• Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas / Boeing / BAe Systems
• Country of origin: United Kingdom
• Top speed: 665 mph

40. F-CK-1 (Ching-Kuo)

• Empty weight: 14,330 lbs
• Type: Lightweight multirole fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1994
• Manufacturer: Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation
• Country of origin: Taiwan (Republic of China)
• Top speed: 1,379 mph

39. HAL Tejas LCA

• Empty weight: 14,440 lbs
• Type: Lightweight multirole fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2015
• Manufacturer: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
• Country of origin: India
• Top speed: 1,227 mph

38. Mirage III

• Empty weight: 14,495 lbs
• Type: Interceptor aircraft / Strike fighter
• Year introduced: 1961
• Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation
• Country of origin: France
• Top speed: 1,312 mph

37. PAC JF-17 Thunder

• Empty weight: 14,517 lbs
• Type: Lightweight multi-role fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2007
• Manufacturer: Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
• Country of origin: China and Pakistan
• Top speed: 1,218 mph

36. JAS 39 Gripen (Griffin)

• Empty weight: 14,991 lbs
• Type: Lightweight multi-role fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1997
• Manufacturer: Saab AB
• Country of origin: Sweden
• Top speed: 1,370 mph

35. IAI Kfir (Lion Cub)

• Empty weight: 16,061 lbs
• Type: Multi-role combat aircraft
• Year introduced: 1976
• Manufacturer: Israel Aircraft Industries
• Country of origin: Israel
• Top speed: 1,516 mph

34. Mirage F1

• Empty weight: 16,314 lbs
• Type: Interceptor aircraft
• Year introduced: 1973
• Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation
• Country of origin: France
• Top speed: 1,453 mph

33. Mirage 2000 (M2000)

• Empty weight: 16,535 lbs
• Type: Strike fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1979
• Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation
• Country of origin: France
• Top speed: 1,453 mph

32. KAI KF-16 Fighting Falcon

• Empty weight: 18,739 lbs
• Type: Multi-role fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1991
• Manufacturer: Korean Aerospace Industries
• Country of origin: Korea
• Top speed: 870 mph

31. F-16 Fighting Falcon

• Empty weight: 18,960 lbs
• Type: Lightweight multi-role fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1978
• Manufacturer: General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin
• Country of origin: United States
• Top speed: 1,317 mph

30. Mitsubishi F-2

• Empty weight: 20,944 lbs
• Type: Multi-role fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2000
• Manufacturer: Mitsubishi / Lockheed Martin
• Country of origin: Japan and United States
• Top speed: 1,553 mph

29. MiG-23 (Flogger)

• Empty weight: 21,164 lbs
• Type: Swing-wing fighter-interceptor aircraft
• Year introduced: 1970
• Manufacturer: Mikoyan-Gurevich
• Country of origin: Former Soviet Union
• Top speed: 1,553 mph

28. Chengdu J-10 (Vicious Dragon)

• Empty weight: 21,451 lbs
• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
• Year introduced: 2005
• Manufacturer: Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAIC) / Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
• Country of origin: China
• Top speed: 1,452 mph

27. Shenyang J-8 / J-8 II (Finback)

• Empty weight: 21,649 lbs
• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
• Year introduced: 1980
• Manufacturer: Aviation Industry Corporation of China
• Country of origin: China
• Top speed: 1,453 mph

26. F-16V (Viper)

• Empty weight: 22,046 lbs
• Type: Multi-role fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2017
• Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin / Hellenic Aerospace Industry
• Country of origin: United States and Greece
• Top speed: 917 mph

25. Dassault Rafale

• Empty weight: 22,708 lbs
• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
• Year introduced: 2001
• Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation
• Country of origin: France
• Top speed: 1,383 mph

24. F/A-18 Hornet

• Empty weight: 22,928 lbs
• Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1983
• Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas / Boeing / Northrop
• Country of origin: United States
• Top speed: 1,190 mph

23. MiG-29 (Fulcrum)

• Empty weight: 24,028 lbs
• Type: Lightweight multi-role fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1984
• Manufacturer: Mikoyan OKB / United Aircraft Corporation
• Country of origin: Former Soviet Union
• Top speed: 1,519 mph

22. MiG-35 (Fulcrum-F)

• Empty weight: 24,251 lbs
• Type: Multi-role fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2020
• Manufacturer: Russian Aircraft Corporation MIG
• Country of origin: Russia
• Top speed: 1,491 mph

21. Eurofighter Typhoon (EF2000)

• Empty weight: 24,251 lbs
• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
• Year introduced: 2003
• Manufacturer: BAe Systems / Eurofighter GmbH
• Country of origin: United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain
• Top speed: 1,550 mph

20. Sukhoi Su-17 / Su-20 / Su-22 (Fitter)

• Empty weight: 26,808 lbs
• Type: Strike fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1970
• Manufacturer: Sukhoi
• Country of origin: Former Soviet Union
• Top speed: 718 mph

19. F-15 Eagle

• Empty weight: 27,000 lbs
• Type: Air superiority fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1976
• Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas / Boeing
• Country of origin: United States
• Top speed: 1,875 mph

18. F-35 Lightning II

• Empty weight: 29,002 lbs
• Type: Advanced multi-role strike fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2016
• Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin / Northrop Grumman / BAe Systems
• Country of origin: United States
• Top speed: 1,199 mph

17. F-4 Phantom II

• Empty weight: 30,329 lbs
• Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1960
• Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
• Country of origin: United States
• Top speed: 1,473 mph

16. F/A-18 Super Hornet

• Empty weight: 30,565 lbs
• Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1999
• Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas / Boeing
• Country of origin: United States
• Top speed: 1,187 mph

15. Panavia Tornado ECR

• Empty weight: 30,644 lbs
• Type: Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) Aircraft
• Year introduced: 1990
• Manufacturer: Panavia Aircraft GmbH / British Aviation Systems / MBB
• Country of origin: United Kingdom, West Germany, and Italy
• Top speed: 1,491 mph

14. Panavia Tornado IDS

• Empty weight: 30,644 lbs
• Type: Low-level strike aircraft
• Year introduced: 1979
• Manufacturer: Panavia Aircraft GmbH / British Aviation Systems
• Country of origin: United Kingdom, West Germany, and Italy
• Top speed: 1,491 mph

13. F-15E Strike Eagle

• Empty weight: 31,526 lbs
• Type: Strike fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1988
• Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas / Boeing
• Country of origin: United States
• Top speed: 1,653 mph

12. Xian JH-7 (Flounder) / FBC-1 (Flying Leopard)

• Empty weight: 31,967 lbs
• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
• Year introduced: 1992
• Manufacturer: Xian Aircraft Industry Corporation
• Country of origin: China
• Top speed: 1,118 mph

11. F-22 Raptor

• Empty weight: 31,998 lbs
• Type: Air dominance fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2005
• Manufacturer: Boeing / Lockheed Martin
• Country of origin: United States
• Top speed: 1,599 mph

10. Sukhoi Su-33 (Flanker-D)

• Empty weight: 36,110 lbs
• Type: Carrier-based air defense fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1994
• Manufacturer: Sukhoi OKB
• Country of origin: Russia
• Top speed: 1,553 mph

9. Sukhoi Su-27 (Flanker)

• Empty weight: 36,112 lbs
• Type: Multi-role air superiority fighter
• Year introduced: 1985
• Manufacturer: Sukhoi OKB / United Aircraft Corporation
• Country of origin: Russia
• Top speed: 1,553 mph

8. Shenyang J-11 (Flanker B+)

• Empty weight: 37,192 lbs
• Type: Multi-role air superiority fighter
• Year introduced: 1998
• Manufacturer: Shenyang Aircraft Corporation / Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
• Country of origin: China
• Top speed: 1,553 mph

7. Sukhoi Su-35 (Flanker-E / Super Flanker)

• Empty weight: 37,920 lbs
• Type: Multi-role heavy combat fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2014
• Manufacturer: Sukhoi OKB
• Country of origin: Russia
• Top speed: 1,491 mph

6. Chengdu J-20 (Black Eagle)

• Empty weight: 38,801 lbs
• Type: Multi-role fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2017
• Manufacturer: Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAIC) / Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
• Country of origin: China
• Top speed: 1,305 mph

5. Shenyang J-15 (Flying Shark)

• Empty weight: 39,022 lbs
• Type: Carrier-based multi-role fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 2013
• Manufacturer: Shenyang Aircraft Corporation / Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
• Country of origin: China
• Top speed: 1,305 mph

4. Sukhoi Su-30 (Flanker-C)

• Empty weight: 39,022 lbs
• Type: Twin-engine air superiority strike fighter aircraft
• Year introduced: 1996
• Manufacturer: Sukhoi Design Bureau
• Country of origin: Russia
• Top speed: 1,317 mph

3. Sukhoi Su-57 (Felon)

• Empty weight: 40,786 lbs
• Type: Multi-role stealth aircraft
• Year introduced: 2019
• Manufacturer: Sukhoi OKB / United Aircraft Corporation
• Country of origin: Russia
• Top speed: 1,616 mph

2. Grumman F-14 Tomcat

• Empty weight: 43,740 lbs
• Type: Swing-wing, carrier-based fleet defense fighter
• Year introduced: 1974
• Manufacturer: Grumman Aircraft
• Country of origin:
• Top speed: 1,544 mph

1. Mig-31 (Foxhound)

• Empty weight: 48,116 lbs
• Type: Supersonic interceptor aircraft
• Year introduced: 1979
• Manufacturer: Mikoyan OKB / United Aircraft Corporation
• Country of origin: Former Soviet Union
• Top speed: 1,864 mph

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