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F-16 Fighting Falcon vs MiG-21 Fishbed

F-16 Fighting Falcon vs MiG-21 Fishbed at a glance — top speed 2,178 vs 2,175 km/h, range 4,217 vs 793 km, max takeoff weight 19,200 vs 10,400 kg, built 4,604 vs 11,496 units.

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇺🇸 F-16 Fighting FalconFull specs
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇷🇺 MiG-21 FishbedFull specs
Specifications
F-16 Fighting Falcon MiG-21 Fishbed
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Combat Aircraft Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer General Dynamics Mikoyan-Gurevich
First flight 2 February 1974 16 June 1955
Year introduced 1978 1958
Number produced 4604 units 11496 units
Average unit price $18.8 million $2 million
Wing area 27.9 m² 23.0 m²
Wingspan 10.0 m 7.2 m
Height 4.9 m 4.1 m
Length 15.1 m 14.7 m
Maximum speed 2178 km/h 2175 km/h
Operational range 4,217 km 793 km
Service ceiling 15,240 m 17,500 m
Max. takeoff weight 19,200 kg 10,400 kg
Empty weight 8,570 kg 4,871 kg
Total thrust 1 x 12,701 kgf 1 x 7,095 kgf
Performance Radar Chart
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is faster with a maximum speed of 2,178 km/h compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 2,175 km/h, a difference of 3 km/h.
Which has longer range, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon has a longer range at 4,217 km compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 793 km.
Which can fly higher, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher service ceiling at 17,500 meters (57,414 ft) compared to the F-16 Fighting Falcon's 15,240 meters (50,000 ft).
Which is heavier, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 19,200 kg compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 10,400 kg.
Which is larger, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is longer at 15.1 meters compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 14.7 meters.
Which is more expensive, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is more expensive at approximately $19 million per unit compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed at $2.0 million.
Which entered service first, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed entered service first in 1958, 20 years before the F-16 Fighting Falcon which entered service in 1978.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the F-16 Fighting Falcon or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has been produced in greater numbers with 11,496 units compared to 4,604 units of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.