F-22 Raptor – the best fighter plane in the world

This is the best air superiority fighter in the world right now.  It means that it could beat any fighter plane out there in air-to-air combat.
 

But because of the lack of any real threat (take note, Chinese "stealth" fighters), and its high cost (about 50% more than the F-35, adjusted for inflation), the Pentagon stopped its production at 195 units.  About 180 of which are currently combat-ready.

What does the 180 count means?  It means that, with just this number of F-22s on hand, the US can already attain air superiority anywhere in the world.  Anytime.  A sobering thought for those who are harboring ambitions of challenging US air superiority.

Unfortunately, the F-22 is not available for export.  Even to close US allies.  If they want something similar, they will have to settle for the F-35.  That is how important the F-22 is to US national interest.

The F-22 is probably the main reason why Beijing's new-found air power has remained sheathed in the West Philippine Sea (at least, until now).  Despite the much-publicized capabilities of Beijing's new generation of "stealth" fighters, they are still nothing more than flies... to the F-22's fly-swatter...