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MiG-21 Fishbed vs Q-5 / A-5 Fantan

MiG-21 Fishbed vs Q-5 / A-5 Fantan at a glance — top speed 2,125 vs 1,210 km/h, range 660 vs 2,000 km, max takeoff weight 8,625 vs 11,300 kg, built 11,496 vs 1,300 units.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇷🇺 MiG-21 Fishbed
Nanchang Q-5 / A-5 Fantan combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇨🇳 Q-5 / A-5 Fantan
Specifications
MiG-21 Fishbed Q-5 / A-5 Fantan
Origin country 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇨🇳 China
Category Combat Aircraft Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich Nanchang
First flight 16 June 1955 4 June 1965
Year introduced 1958 1970
Number produced 11496 units 1300 units
Average unit price $2 million $3 million
Wing area 23.0 m² 27.9 m²
Wingspan 7.2 m 9.7 m
Height 4.1 m 4.3 m
Length 13.5 m 15.7 m
Maximum speed 2125 km/h 1210 km/h
Operational range 660 km 2,000 km
Service ceiling 19,000 m 16,500 m
Max. takeoff weight 8,625 kg 11,300 kg
Empty weight 4,871 kg 6,400 kg
Total thrust 1 x 4,689 kgf 2 x 3,750 kgf
Performance Radar Chart
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The MiG-21 Fishbed is faster with a maximum speed of 2,125 km/h compared to the Q-5 / A-5 Fantan's 1,210 km/h, a difference of 915 km/h.
Which has longer range, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The Q-5 / A-5 Fantan has a longer range at 2,000 km compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 660 km.
Which can fly higher, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher service ceiling at 19,000 meters (62,335 ft) compared to the Q-5 / A-5 Fantan's 16,500 meters (54,133 ft).
Which is heavier, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The Q-5 / A-5 Fantan has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 11,300 kg compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 8,625 kg.
Which is larger, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The Q-5 / A-5 Fantan is longer at 15.7 meters compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 13.5 meters.
Which is more expensive, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The Q-5 / A-5 Fantan is more expensive at approximately $3.0 million per unit compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed at $2.0 million.
Which entered service first, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The MiG-21 Fishbed entered service first in 1958, 12 years before the Q-5 / A-5 Fantan which entered service in 1970.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Q-5 / A-5 Fantan?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has been produced in greater numbers with 11,496 units compared to 1,300 units of the Q-5 / A-5 Fantan.