Arab Defense website – September 3, 2025: In a world dominated by wars economies, warplanes and war fighters turn into a strategic commodity that achieves huge profits during armed conflict crises. Some planes fail and collapse their value in the market, while others are highlighted with their exceptional skills and performance, which greatly increases the demand for them.
The United States tops the list of countries manufacturer for the most important modern fighters, but to stop a little at the F-22 that the Lockheed Martin company stopped producing in 2011 because of its high cost and the decision to ban its export. Nevertheless, this plane is still known as the “lady of the sky”, as its speed exceeds the speed of sound to reach about 2400 km/h, and it has high capabilities to hide from the radars and maneuvering, as well as the ability to hit the goals before it is discovered.
As for the American F-35, it remains one of the most prominent fighters in the world for the year 2025, with advanced technological characteristics and an unprecedented ability to carry up to 22 missiles, the highest load of any fighter ever.
Russia also plays a strong role in this race, through its “Sukhoi Su-57” fighting, known for its light movement and speed of about 2500 km/h, with radars capable of detecting targets at distances of up to 400 km.
For its part, France topped the scene with a Rafale fighter, which is characterized by a speed of up to 2200 km/h, along with advanced radars and modern digital systems, to confirm its position among the leading countries in the fighter industry.
But air superiority is not complete without advanced air defense systems. Russia launched the S-500, which is able to target ghost planes, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and even low-orbit industrial satellites, with a range of up to 600 km.
The United States, in turn, develops effective systems such as a short and medium -range missile interception system of 200 km and a height of 150 km, in addition to the modern version of the Patriot system that can deal with aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and short -range ballistic missiles.
As for Europe, it works to strengthen its defenses through the French-Italian-T NG system, which integrates the latest radar and sensing technologies, allowing the detection and interception of weather threats within up to 150 km.
In this rapid world, change, war fighters and air defense systems form the backbone of military superiority, and with it the political ability and economic domination of major countries are strengthened.
Sky control became more complicated than ever due to the development of combat aircraft technologies, air defenses, and electronic warfare.
The United States still has a qualitative superiority because of its global network of leadership bases and systems, in addition to its Fifth Fifth Fleet such as F-35 and F-22, which is characterized by hiding and integrating with electronic war.
China has evolved very quickly, as it strengthened its capabilities in terms of fifth-generation fighters such as J-20 and J-35, in addition to long-range anti-aircraft and armed aircraft projects, making its threat to air control real, especially in the Indian and calm surroundings.
Russia has a strong arsenal of Su-57 fighters, air defense systems S-400 and S-500, which gives it the ability to defend its air field effectively, but manufacturing and resources restrictions limit the spread of these capabilities globally.
Europe is divided into its traditional power such as France and Britain, with the limited fifth -generation fighters, but it focuses on joint defense through systems like Eurofighter Typhoon and FCAS future.
In general, the absolute control of the sky today is no longer just the number of fighters, but rather it depends on the integration between advanced aircraft, advanced air defenses, electronic warfare systems, satellites, and the ability of driving and control. The United States still excels globally, but China and Russia are able to impose strong air influence areas, especially near their lands or in specific strategic areas.
The article appeared modern fighter race and air defense: Who controls the sky in 2025? First on the Arab defense site.
