Want to know which are the most expensive military planes in the world? Shortly after their invention, warfare experts saw the potential of airplanes for military use. And ever since the first grand scale introduction of military planes in World War I, flying machines have changed the way wars are fought. Bombers, fighters, ground-attack, liaison, multirole, reconnaissance, training, transport, air control… there are many different types of military aircraft in use at the moment, and some are incredibly cutting-edge and expensive.
However, airplanes are not the only flying vehicles used for warfare. Choppers have proved to be very useful indeed and are often used for military purposes. Naturally, helicopters are also employed in the private sector for various uses including transportation, search and rescue, firefighting, construction, medical transport, tourism, and aerial observation. Just check out our list on the 20 Most Expensive Helicopters in the World to find out which type of chopper is the most costly.
Let’s take a look at our current countdown now, and find out which are the most expensive military planes in the world.
9. F/A-18 Hornet
Used by countries including the US, Australia, Canada, Kuwait, Finland, Malaysia, Spain, and Switzerland, this military aircraft costs $94 million. The F/A-18 Hornet is able to attack ground and aerial targets alike. First introduced in the 1980’s, this plane has featured in Operation Desert Storm, among other conflicts.
One of the most well-known military planes in the world yields to eight other aircraft in terms of expense, as our countdown of the most expensive military planes in the world will reveal.
8. EA-18G Growler
At $102 million, this jet is updated for electronic warfare and is capable of finding and disrupting anti-aircraft radar and jamming enemy communications. At the moment the EA-18G Growler is being used by the US Navy, which considers the aircraft a key element in their Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA).
7. V-22 Osprey
The V-22 Osprey is a hybrid between a helicopter and an airplane. Its tiltrotor technology allows it to take off and land like a helicopter, but it can also fly like any other plane. The $118 million aircraft was first used in combat in Iraq back in 2007.
6. F-35 Lightning II
At $122 million, the F-35 Lightning II is invisible to enemy radars, is a great air fighter and bomber, and is capable of performing ground attacks as well. This aircraft, which was first conceived of in the 90’s, is also capable of doing a vertical take-off. Moreover, its development was originally mainly funded by the United States.
5. E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye costs $232 million and is equipped with the top communication and radar technology. This aircraft is groundbreaking because its radar system increases the range of territory a plane can monitor by a staggering 300%. Combat, battle management, and military control will never be the same.
4. P-8A Poseidon
This $290 million aircraft is basically the warfare version of the passenger plane Boeing 747. The P-8A Poseidon is used by the US Navy, who take advantage of the many pros the aircraft has: anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance intelligence, reconnaissance, and carriage for torpedoes, missiles and depth charges.
3. C17A Globemaster III
I know, $328 million may sound a bit excessive for a military airplane. However, the C17A Globemaster III is worth its price. This aircraft is a key element to successful warfare, for it is a transport plane used to move troops safely into and out of war zones. Used since 1993 by the Air Force, this plane is also used to perform medical evaluations and airdrop missions.
2. F-22 Raptor
Widely considered as one of the best overall combat airplanes in the world, the F-22 Raptor costs $350 million. This amazing aircraft can shoot down enemy cruise missiles, elude enemy radar detection and fly very long distances at an unbelievable speed.
1. B-2 Spirit
The most expensive military plane in the world costs $2.4 billion! The American government, which had originally planned to purchase 132 B-2 Spirit units, ended up reducing that amount to only 21 airplanes, as its price was simply too high for them (and most everyone else). This state-of-the-art aircraft is practically undetectable by every existent means: radar, visual, acoustic, infrared and electromagnetic.
