The ten fastest military jet fighters ever built, ranked by their maximum verified top speed at optimal altitude in Mach number.
Quick answer: 1. MiG-25 Foxbat, 2. MiG-31 Foxhound, 3. McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, 4. MiG-23 Flogger, 5. Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker, 6. Grumman F-14 Tomcat, 7. MiG-29 Fulcrum, 8. IAI Kfir, 9. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, 10. McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.
Speed has been a defining characteristic of fighter jets since the dawn of jet aviation. While modern fifth-generation fighters prioritize stealth and agility over raw velocity, the fastest jets ever built remain awe-inspiring machines. This list covers operational jet fighters and interceptors, ranked by their maximum verified top speed at optimal altitude in a clean configuration — no external weapons or tanks. Reconnaissance-only aircraft like the SR-71 Blackbird are excluded, as they are not combat fighters.
The MiG-25 was built by the Soviet Union as a high-speed interceptor to counter the American XB-70 Valkyrie and SR-71. It remains the fastest fighter jet ever to enter service, with a verified top speed of Mach 2.83. Its speed came at the cost of maneuverability: the Foxbat was designed purely to intercept bombers at high altitude.
An evolution of the MiG-25, the MiG-31 Foxhound is a supersonic interceptor with a top speed of Mach 2.83. It features a crew of two, a phased-array radar, and the ability to engage multiple targets at once. Russia is the sole operator, with approximately 130 in active service as of 2026.
The F-15 is the most widely used supersonic fighter in the world, with 897 in service as of 2026. Its powerful Pratt & Whitney F100 engines give it a top speed of Mach 2.5. The latest F-15EX variant is designed to push even faster, making it the fastest active-duty American fighter and the third-fastest fighter jet overall.
The MiG-23 was a swing-wing fighter designed in the early 1960s as a successor to the MiG-21. Its variable-sweep wings allow it to optimize for both supersonic dash and low-speed handling. With a top speed of Mach 2.35, it remains in service with North Korea, Syria, and several other nations.
One of the most prolific late-Cold War designs, the Su-27 was developed as a direct response to the American F-15. It spawned an entire family of variants including the Su-30, Su-34, and Su-35. Its twin Saturn AL-31 engines give it a top speed of Mach 2.35.
The iconic carrier-capable swing-wing fighter served as the US Navy's primary fleet-defense interceptor for over three decades. With two powerful General Electric F110 engines, a clean F-14 could reach Mach 2.34. It was retired by the US Navy in 2006 but remains in service with Iran's air force.
Designed as a lighter counterpart to the Su-27 and a rival to the F-16, the MiG-29 is a nimble point-defense interceptor known for incredible maneuverability. Its widely spaced Klimov RD-33 engines push it to Mach 2.3 at altitude. It serves with over 25 nations, with 728 active examples in the 2026 World Air Forces directory.
An Israeli upgrade of the Dassault Mirage 5, the Kfir is powered by a General Electric J79 turbojet — the same engine used by the F-4 Phantom. It achieves Mach 2.3 and is currently operated by Colombia and the US contractor ATAC for adversary training.
The world's first fifth-generation fighter and the only stealth aircraft on this list. The F-22 can supercruise at over Mach 1.8 without afterburners and reach a top speed of Mach 2.25. Its internal weapon bays eliminate drag from external stores, giving it exceptional performance even when fully armed.
One of the most iconic Cold War jets, the F-4 Phantom was the dominant US fighter for much of the 1960s and 70s. Its powerful twin General Electric J79 engines let it reach Mach 2.23 despite its un-aerodynamic shape, giving rise to the saying 'a brick can fly if you stick a big enough engine on it.' It is still operated by Turkey, Greece, and Iran.
| # | Name | country | year_introduced | number_built | status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MiG-25 Foxbat | Soviet Union / Russia | 1970 | 1190 | Limited service |
| 2 | MiG-31 Foxhound | Russia | 1981 | 519 | Active service (Russia) |
| 3 | McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle | United States | 1976 | 1668 | Active service (US, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Israel, others) |
| 4 | MiG-23 Flogger | Soviet Union / Russia | 1970 | 5047 | Limited service (~187 active) |
| 5 | Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker | Soviet Union / Russia | 1985 | 680 | Active service |
| 6 | Grumman F-14 Tomcat | United States | 1974 | 712 | US retired 2006; Iran active (~41) |
| 7 | MiG-29 Fulcrum | Soviet Union / Russia | 1983 | 1600 | Active service (25+ operators) |
| 8 | IAI Kfir | Israel | 1976 | 220 | Limited service (Colombia, ATAC) |
| 9 | Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor | United States | 2005 | 195 | Active service (USAF only) |
| 10 | McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II | United States | 1960 | 5195 | Limited service (Turkey, Greece, Iran) |
Ranking metric: maximum speed in Mach number at optimal altitude (typically above 36,000 ft / 11,000 m), in a clean configuration (no external stores). Speeds are drawn from manufacturer technical specifications, official air force fact sheets, and verified sources. Only jet-powered combat fighters and interceptors with a confirmed production run are included. Reconnaissance-only aircraft and prototypes that never entered service are excluded.
The SR-71 is a strategic reconnaissance aircraft, not a fighter jet. This list is limited to combat fighters and interceptors designed for air-to-air or multirole missions. If reconnaissance aircraft were included, the SR-71 (Mach 3.3) would top the list.
The Russian MiG-31 Foxhound and the MiG-25 Foxbat both hold the highest verified top speeds at Mach 2.83. However, only about 130 MiG-31s remain in active service. Among widely deployed Western fighters, the F-15 Eagle (Mach 2.5) is the fastest.
The speeds listed are achievable in a clean configuration at optimal altitude. In combat, fighters typically carry external weapons and fuel tanks that create drag, significantly reducing their effective top speed, especially at low altitude.
Supercruise is the ability to sustain supersonic flight without using afterburners. The F-22 Raptor can supercruise at over Mach 1.8, which gives it excellent fuel efficiency and range while supersonic — a capability few other fighters possess.