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European Jet Fighters

March 2024

Timeline overview of EU build fighter jets

This timeline shows a chronological overview of European build fighter-jets, attack- and fighter-bomber jets. From the earliest designs born out of necessity during wartime to the current generation of supersonic fighter-interceptor jets like the Typhoon, designed and build in conjunction by multiple countries.

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After World War2, which saw the introduction of the Worlds first operational jet fighter (Me-262), the European jet fighter industry was dominated by the British, French and Sweden build jets. Well known designs like the Mirage and Saab Family and innovations like the Harrier jump jet were developed by European countries.

Sort order:

2003

Active, 592 build. Also known as EF2000

Twin-engine, supersonic, canard delta wing, multirole / air-superiority fighter.

2001

Carrier capablecarrier

Active, 259 build.

Twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft. Designed for both Air Force and Navy operations. (Rafale M is carrier capable)

1996

Active, around 300 build, first flight 1988.

Light single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft . Still in development, latest version Gripen E was introduced in 2013.

1993

VSTOLswap-vertCarrier capablecarrier

retired. 98 build (including FRS versions)

Naval short take-off and vertical landing/vertical take-off and landing jet fighter, reconnaissance and attack aircraft. improved version of the initial Sea Harrier FRS1.

Variants

1989

Active, around 200 build.

Ground-attack strike fighter aircraft jointly developed by Brazil and Italy.

1985

Retired, 194 build.

Long-range, twin-engine swing-wing interceptor aircraft, derivative of the multirole Panavia Tornado.

Variants

1984

active, over 600 build.

Multirole, single-engine, fourth-generation jet fighter. Also available as strike variant.

1983

Active, 85 build.

Yugoslav single-engine, advanced jet trainer and light ground-attack aircraft.

1979

Active, 990 build (IDS, ADV and ECR versions)

Twin-engine, variable-sweep wing multi-role combat aircraft, jointly developed and manufactured by Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany. Available as strike fighter, fighter-bomber, air defence and electronic warfare versions.

Variants

1978

Carrier capablecarrier

Retired 2016 French Navy, 85 build.

Carrier-borne strike fighter aircraft, created as replacement of the Etendard.

Variants

VSTOLswap-vertCarrier capablecarrier

retired, 57 build (later converted to FA2 standard)

Naval short take-off and vertical landing/vertical take-off and landing jet fighter, reconnaissance and attack aircraft.

Variants

Active, 13 to be believed in service

Twin-engined, subsonic ground-attack and aerial reconnaissance aircraft, build in former Yugoslavia.

1977

Active, 480 build.

Two engine light attack jet and advanced jet trainer.

1976

Active, 100+ build

Single-engine, jet-powered advanced trainer aircraft. Some versions were also used in air defense role.

1973

In limited service, also in agressor role. 726 build.

Light single engine fighter and attack aircraft.

Mostly retired (active with Indian Air Force), 573 build.

Two engine supersonic jet close air support / attack aircraft.

1971

Retired, 329 build.

Single-engine multirole combat aircraft. AJ 37: Fighter bomber, SF 37: Photo reconnaissance, SH 37: Maritime patrol, JA 37: Strike fighter.

1969

VSTOLswap-vert

Retired (BAe version). US AV-8 still in operation.

Jet-powered attack aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing operations (V/STOL).

1967

Retired, 582 build.

Single engine, supersonic attack aircraft. Derived from the Mirage III.

1962

Carrier capablecarrier

Retired. 211 build.

twin engine carrier-capable attack aircraft

Carrier capablecarrier

Retired. 90 build. Developed into Super Étendard

Transonic carrier-borne strike fighter aircraft

Variants

1961

Retired, 1422 build.

Supersonic single/dual-seat, single-engine, fighter aircraft

1960

Retired (2005), 561 build.

Single engine fighter-interceptor.

Retired, 337 build.

Dual stacked engine, interceptor.

1959

retired, 449 build (incl HAL Ajeet)

Compact swept-wing subsonic fighter aircraft, fighter, light tactical bomber and trainer.

Carrier capablecarrier

retired, 151 build.

Twin-engine, twin boom-tailed, two-seat, carrier-based fleet air-defence fighter.

1958

retired 1959!, 770 build.

Single engine, light jet fighter-bomber.

Retired, 180 build.

French build, single engine supersonic fighter-bomber.

1957

Carrier capablecarrier

retired, 76 build.

Single-seat naval strike aircraft.

1956

Retired, 450 build.

two-seat, transonic military fighter-, attack- and reconnaissance aircraft.

Retired, 149 build.

Dual engine french jet-powered bomber, interceptor, and attack aircraft.

Retired. 436 build.

Twin-engined all-weather interceptor aircraft

1954

Retired (Although some active with air force of Zimbabwe), 1972 build.

Single turbo jet-powered swept-wing fighter aircraft. Still flying today as warbird or in the agressor role.

Retired, 197 build.

Swept wing single-seat jet fighter aircraft.

1953

Carrier capablecarrier

Retired, 542 build.

Single-seat naval jet day fighter

Retired, 411 build.

Single engine fighter-bomber aircraft. First transonic aircraft to enter service with the French Air Force.

1952

Carrier capablecarrier

Retired, 1431 build (Incl Sea Venom)

Post-war single-engined jet aircraft using in fighter-bomber role. Also carrier based version, called Sea Venom.

Retired, 567 build.

Single jet-engine fighter-bomber. First jet-powered French-designed combat aircraft to enter production.

1951

Retired, 661 build

First European swept-wing, jet-powered fighter aircraft.

1950

Retired, 64 build.

The R version was a jet-powered development of the piston-engined SAAB 21 and was the first jet aircraft to be produced by Saab. Light fighter and attack aircraft.