MiG-21 Fishbed vs MiG-29 Fulcrum

Overview

The MiG-21 Fishbed and the MiG-29 Fulcrum are both Combat Aircraft, manufactured by Mikoyan-Gurevitch and Mikoyan-Gurevitch respectively.

Top speed is 2,125 km/h for the MiG-21 Fishbed vs 2,200 km/h for the MiG-29 Fulcrum. The MiG-21 Fishbed has an operational range of 660 km vs 1,430 km for the MiG-29 Fulcrum. The MiG-21 Fishbed operates at altitudes up to 19,000 m compared to 17,500 m for the MiG-29 Fulcrum. At 24,000 kg MTOW, the MiG-29 Fulcrum is 2.8x the MiG-21 Fishbed's 8,625 kg.

The MiG-21 Fishbed has been produced in 11,496 units vs 1,600 for the MiG-29 Fulcrum. Unit cost is $2M for the MiG-21 Fishbed vs $25M for the MiG-29 Fulcrum. The MiG-21 Fishbed first flew 22 years before the MiG-29 Fulcrum (1955 vs 1977).

MiG-21 Fishbed

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
→ View full MiG-21 Fishbed details

MiG-29 Fulcrum

Soviet twin-engine fighter jet, notable in late Cold War clashes, widely exported and integral to various aerial engagements globally.
Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG-29 Fulcrum Combat profile drawing
Origin country 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR
Category Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevitch
First flight 6 October 1977
Year introduced 1983
Number produced 1600 units
Average unit price $25 million
→ View full MiG-29 Fulcrum details

MiG-21 Fishbed

Wing area 23.0 m² ◉
Wingspan 7.2 m â—‰
Height 4.1 m â—‰
Length 13.5 m â—‰
Maximum speed 2125 km/h â—‰
Operational range 660 km â—‰
Service ceiling 19,000 m â—‰
Max. takeoff weight 8,625 kg â—‰
Empty weight 4,871 kg â—‰
Total thrust 1 x 4,689 kgf â—‰

MiG-29 Fulcrum

Wing area 43.0 m² ◉
Wingspan 12.0 m â—‰
Height 4.4 m â—‰
Length 17.3 m â—‰
Maximum speed 2200 km/h â—‰
Operational range 1,430 km â—‰
Service ceiling 17,500 m â—‰
Max. takeoff weight 24,000 kg â—‰
Empty weight 18,500 kg â—‰
Total thrust 2 x 9,000 kgf â—‰

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the MiG-21 Fishbed or MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-29 Fulcrum is faster with a maximum speed of 2,200 km/h compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 2,125 km/h, a difference of 75 km/h.
Which has longer range, the MiG-21 Fishbed or MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-29 Fulcrum has a longer range at 1,430 km compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 660 km.
Which can fly higher, the MiG-21 Fishbed or MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher service ceiling at 19,000 meters (62,335 ft) compared to the MiG-29 Fulcrum's 17,500 meters (57,414 ft).
Which is heavier, the MiG-21 Fishbed or MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-29 Fulcrum has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 24,000 kg compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 8,625 kg.
Which is larger, the MiG-21 Fishbed or MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-29 Fulcrum is longer at 17.3 meters compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 13.5 meters.
Which is more expensive, the MiG-21 Fishbed or MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-29 Fulcrum is more expensive at approximately $25 million per unit compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed at $2.0 million.
Which entered service first, the MiG-21 Fishbed or MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-21 Fishbed entered service first in 1958, 25 years before the MiG-29 Fulcrum which entered service in 1983.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the MiG-21 Fishbed or MiG-29 Fulcrum?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has been produced in greater numbers with 11,496 units compared to 1,600 units of the MiG-29 Fulcrum.

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