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Alpha Jet vs MiG-21 Fishbed

Alpha Jet vs MiG-21 Fishbed at a glance — top speed 1,000 vs 2,125 km/h, range 2,940 vs 660 km, max takeoff weight 7,500 vs 8,625 kg, built 480 vs 11,496 units.

Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇩🇪🇫🇷 Alpha Jet
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇷🇺 MiG-21 Fishbed
Specifications
Alpha Jet MiG-21 Fishbed
Origin country 🇩🇪 Germany🇫🇷 France 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Combat Aircraft Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer Dassault/Dornier Mikoyan-Gurevich
First flight 26 October 1973 16 June 1955
Year introduced 1978 1958
Number produced 480 units 11496 units
Average unit price $8 million $2 million
Wing area 17.5 m² 23.0 m²
Wingspan 9.1 m 7.2 m
Height 4.2 m 4.1 m
Length 13.2 m 13.5 m
Maximum speed 1000 km/h 2125 km/h
Operational range 2,940 km 660 km
Service ceiling 14,630 m 19,000 m
Max. takeoff weight 7,500 kg 8,625 kg
Empty weight 3,515 kg 4,871 kg
Total thrust 2 x 2,700 kgf 1 x 4,689 kgf
Performance Radar Chart
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the Alpha Jet or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed is faster with a maximum speed of 2,125 km/h compared to the Alpha Jet's 1,000 km/h, a difference of 1,125 km/h.
Which has longer range, the Alpha Jet or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The Alpha Jet has a longer range at 2,940 km compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 660 km.
Which can fly higher, the Alpha Jet or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher service ceiling at 19,000 meters (62,335 ft) compared to the Alpha Jet's 14,630 meters (47,998 ft).
Which is heavier, the Alpha Jet or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 8,625 kg compared to the Alpha Jet's 7,500 kg.
Which is larger, the Alpha Jet or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed is longer at 13.5 meters compared to the Alpha Jet's 13.2 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Alpha Jet or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The Alpha Jet is more expensive at approximately $8.0 million per unit compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed at $2.0 million.
Which entered service first, the Alpha Jet or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed entered service first in 1958, 20 years before the Alpha Jet which entered service in 1978.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Alpha Jet or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has been produced in greater numbers with 11,496 units compared to 480 units of the Alpha Jet.