Used by more than 20 countries and continuing to sell like hot cakes, the F-16 is certainly the most widely operated fighter jet in the world and will most likely remain in this position for the foreseeable future.

The title of the most widely sold and used fourth-generation fighter jet in the world belongs to the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Since its introduction in the late 1970s, over 4,600 units have been produced. While the F-16 is no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, it remains in high demand globally, with a production line that moved to Greenville, South Carolina, to fulfill orders for the latest "Block 70/72" variants. Its popularity stems from its incredible versatility as a multi-role fighter, its relatively low operating cost, and its "high-tech but proven" reputation. More than 25 nations currently operate the F-16, making it the backbone of many air forces across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. If you look at all-time historical production including older generations, the Soviet MiG-21 holds the record with over 10,000 units, but in the modern era of sophisticated, high-cost aerospace technology, the F-16 is the unrivaled commercial and military success story, often referred to as the "Viper" by the pilots who fly it.