Initially launching all the way back in October 2013, Grand Theft Auto Online is about to turn 10 years old, and it's come an incredibly long way in that time. Though the initial experience was a tad barebones, Grand Theft Auto Online has managed to turn itself into one of the greatest multiplayer experiences of all time over the course of a decade, delivering constant updates that continue to bring new weapons, vehicles, apparel, heists, and missions to the game.
The most recent Grand Theft Auto Online update, titled San Andreas Mercenaries, dropped on June 13, adding another heap of new content to the game. This update added six new co-op missions, added three missions set in the open-world, overhauled Air Freight Cargo missions, overhauled hangars, and added a total of 17 new vehicles to the game. While many of these vehicles will be high on players' wish-lists, there's one that stands out from the others in a big way, and that's the F-160 Raiju jet.
Is GTA Online's Raiju Jet Worth the Money?
Grand Theft Auto Online is no stranger to lightning-fast aircraft. There are currently six jets available in GTA Online, each with its own unique design and distinct skillset. The Besra is the cheapest option players will find in GTA Online, coming in at $1,150,000. As can be expected with the lower price, the Besra is a fairly simple aircraft with no weapon functionality at all, but it is armored, requiring three homing missile strikes to be destroyed. On the complete other end of the spectrum is the brand new Raiju, costing a pretty penny but providing some serious firepower.
Based on the Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II, Grand Theft Auto Online's new Raiju jet has a lot of tricks up its sleeve. The Raiju's most obvious feature is its ability to switch between horizontal and vertical flight using its VTOL system, similar to the Hydra jet. But unlike the Hydra, the Raiju is incredibly fast. Currently, the Raiju is the fastest aircraft in GTA Online, beating out the Pyro in terms of both speed and acceleration. The Raiju also has incredible handling, being able to turn smoothly at both high and low speeds.
The Raiju also boasts some impressive defense systems. As a fully armored aircraft, the Raiju can withstand up to three homing missiles or explosive heavy sniper rounds. But thanks to the Raiju's stealth systems, players probably won't need to worry about missiles too much. Previously only available in helicopters like the Annihilator Stealth and the Akula, the Raiju is the first jet to be able to enter stealth mode. Entering stealth mode hides the Raiju from enemy radars and lowers the players Wanted level to 2 stars, though players are unable to use the Raiju's weapons in this mode and homing missiles will still be able to lock onto the jet if they have a line of fire.
But when the player does want to use their weapons, the Raiju has plenty to offer. The Raiju is equipped with dual explosive cannons as its primary form of fire, though the fire rate, area of effect, and damage from them are quite a bit lower than the cannons used by other jets like the Hydra and P-996 Lazer. The Raiju is also equipped with two missile launchers, capable of both homing and non-homing fire. The Raiju is packing a lot of punch, but its price tag of $6,855,000 might be a tad too high for many players. The Raiju's worth will largely be determined by what players want to do with it. If players are looking for an extremely fast, stealthy aircraft capable of delivering supplies with extreme efficiency, then the Raiju is for them, but if players are looking for an all-out offensive aircraft, then the Hydra might be a more cost-effective choice, costing almost half of the Raiju's price tag.
Grand Theft Auto Online is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
