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A-10 Thunderbolt II vs MiG-21 Fishbed

A-10 Thunderbolt II vs MiG-21 Fishbed at a glance — top speed 675 vs 2,125 km/h, range 4,150 vs 660 km, max takeoff weight 22,680 vs 8,625 kg, built 716 vs 11,496 units.

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇺🇸 A-10 Thunderbolt II
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇷🇺 MiG-21 Fishbed
Specifications
A-10 Thunderbolt II MiG-21 Fishbed
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Combat Aircraft Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer Fairchild Republic Mikoyan-Gurevich
First flight 10 May 1972 16 June 1955
Year introduced 1975 1958
Number produced 716 units 11496 units
Average unit price $12.1 million $2 million
Wing area 47.0 m² 23.0 m²
Wingspan 17.5 m 7.2 m
Height 4.5 m 4.1 m
Length 16.3 m 13.5 m
Maximum speed 675 km/h 2125 km/h
Operational range 4,150 km 660 km
Service ceiling 13,716 m 19,000 m
Max. takeoff weight 22,680 kg 8,625 kg
Empty weight 11,321 kg 4,871 kg
Total thrust 2 x 8,224 kgf 1 x 4,689 kgf
Performance Radar Chart
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the A-10 Thunderbolt II or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed is faster with a maximum speed of 2,125 km/h compared to the A-10 Thunderbolt II's 675 km/h, a difference of 1,450 km/h.
Which has longer range, the A-10 Thunderbolt II or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The A-10 Thunderbolt II has a longer range at 4,150 km compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 660 km.
Which can fly higher, the A-10 Thunderbolt II or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher service ceiling at 19,000 meters (62,335 ft) compared to the A-10 Thunderbolt II's 13,716 meters (45,000 ft).
Which is heavier, the A-10 Thunderbolt II or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The A-10 Thunderbolt II has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 22,680 kg compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 8,625 kg.
Which is larger, the A-10 Thunderbolt II or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is longer at 16.3 meters compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 13.5 meters.
Which is more expensive, the A-10 Thunderbolt II or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is more expensive at approximately $12 million per unit compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed at $2.0 million.
Which entered service first, the A-10 Thunderbolt II or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed entered service first in 1958, 17 years before the A-10 Thunderbolt II which entered service in 1975.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the A-10 Thunderbolt II or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has been produced in greater numbers with 11,496 units compared to 716 units of the A-10 Thunderbolt II.