IA 58 Pucará vs MiG-21 Fishbed

The IA 58 Pucará and the MiG-21 Fishbed are both Combat Aircraft, manufactured by FMA and Mikoyan-Gurevitch respectively. The MiG-21 Fishbed reaches 2,125 km/h — 4.2x the IA 58 Pucará's 500 km/h. The IA 58 Pucará has an operational range of 350 km vs 660 km for the MiG-21 Fishbed. The MiG-21 Fishbed operates at altitudes up to 19,000 m compared to 10,000 m for the IA 58 Pucará. The IA 58 Pucará has been produced in 110 units vs 11,496 for the MiG-21 Fishbed. Unit cost is $2M for the IA 58 Pucará vs $2M for the MiG-21 Fishbed. The MiG-21 Fishbed first flew 19 years before the IA 58 Pucará (1955 vs 1974).

Argentinian counter-insurgency aircraft, notorious for its use during the Falklands War in the early 1980s.
FMA IA 58 Pucará Combat profile drawing
Origin country 🇦🇷 Argentina
Category Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer FMA
First flight 8 November 1974
Year introduced 1976
Number produced 110 units
Average unit price $2 million
Soviet supersonic jet fighter, renowned for extensive service during the Cold War, prevalent in various international conflicts.
Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG-21 Fishbed Combat profile drawing
Origin country 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevitch
First flight 16 June 1955
Year introduced 1958
Number produced 11496 units
Average unit price $2 million
Wing area 30.3 m²
Wingspan 14.5 m
Height 5.4 m
Length 14.3 m
Maximum speed 500 km/h
Operational range 350 km
Service ceiling 10,000 m
Max. takeoff weight 6,800 kg
Empty weight 4,020 kg
Total thrust 2 x 1,458 kW
Wing area 23.0 m²
Wingspan 7.2 m
Height 4.1 m
Length 13.5 m
Maximum speed 2125 km/h
Operational range 660 km
Service ceiling 19,000 m
Max. takeoff weight 8,625 kg
Empty weight 4,871 kg
Total thrust 1 x 4,689 kgf

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the IA 58 Pucará or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed is faster with a maximum speed of 2,125 km/h compared to the IA 58 Pucará's 500 km/h, a difference of 1,625 km/h.
Which has longer range, the IA 58 Pucará or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a longer range at 660 km compared to the IA 58 Pucará's 350 km.
Which can fly higher, the IA 58 Pucará or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher service ceiling at 19,000 meters (62,335 ft) compared to the IA 58 Pucará's 10,000 meters (32,808 ft).
Which is heavier, the IA 58 Pucará or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 8,625 kg compared to the IA 58 Pucará's 6,800 kg.
Which is larger, the IA 58 Pucará or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The IA 58 Pucará is longer at 14.2 meters compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 13.5 meters.
Which is more expensive, the IA 58 Pucará or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed is more expensive at approximately $2.0 million per unit compared to the IA 58 Pucará at $2.0 million.
Which entered service first, the IA 58 Pucará or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed entered service first in 1958, 18 years before the IA 58 Pucará which entered service in 1976.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the IA 58 Pucará or MiG-21 Fishbed?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has been produced in greater numbers with 11,496 units compared to 110 units of the IA 58 Pucará.