Fighter Jet Comparison ToolCompare 25+ military fighter aircraft head to head!

MiG-21 vs. Dassault Mirage 2000

vs.
Compare

MiG-21

vs.

Mirage 2000

Role
FighterMulitrole fighter
Generation
2nd generation4th generation
National Origin
Soviet UnionFrance
Manufacturer
Mikoyan-GurevichDassault
Price (USD)
$3 Million$30 Million
Primary Users
Soviet Air ForcesFrench Air and Space Force
First Flight
19551978
Last Production Year
19852007
# Units Built
11,496601
Status
In ServiceIn Service
Seats
11
Length
14 m46 ft
14 m47 ft
Wingspan
7 m23 ft
9 m30 ft
Wing Area
23 m²247 ft²
41 m²441 ft²
Height
4 m13 ft
5 m17 ft
Empty Weight
5,339 kg11,770 lbs
7,498 kg16,530 lbs
Gross Weight
8,811 kg19,425 lbs
13,798 kg30,420 lbs
MTOW
9,800 kg21,605 lbs
17,463 kg38,500 lbs
Fuel Capacity
2,363 kg5,210 lbs
2,812 kg6,200 lbs
Number of Engines
11
Engine Type
TurbojetTurbofan
Engine Manufacturer
TumanskySnecma
Engine Model
R-25M53-P2
Dry Thrust
40 kN9,030 lbs
64 kN14,500 lbs
Thrust w/ Afterburner
70 kN15,640 lbf
95 kN21,400 lbf
Max Thrust
70 kN15,640 lbf
95 kN21,400 lbf
Max Speed (Mach)
Mach 2.05Mach 2.20
Top Speed
2,174 km/h1,351 mph
2,337 km/h1,452 mph
Range
667 km360 nm
1,556 km840 nm
Rate of Climb
235 m/s46,250 ft/min
285 m/s56,100 ft/min
Ceiling
17,496 m57,400 ft
18,288 m60,000 ft
G Limit
8 g9 g

What Are the Differences Between the MiG-21 and Dassault Mirage 2000

MiG-21 vs Dassault Mirage 2000 Size Comparison

  • At 14.40 meters, the Dassault Mirage 2000 is 0.30 meters longer than the MiG-21.
  • With a wingspan of 9.10 meters, the Dassault Mirage 2000 is 1.90 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The wing area of the Dassault Mirage 2000 is 1.10 meters bigger than that of the MiG-21’s 4.10 meters.

MiG-21 vs Dassault Mirage 2000 Price

  • The Dassault Mirage 2000 is more expensive than the MiG-21, with a unit cost of approximately 30 million compared to the MiG-21’s unit cost of approximately 3 million.

MiG-21 vs Dassault Mirage 2000 Speed

  • The Dassault Mirage 2000 has a top speed of 1,452 miles per hour, and the MiG-21 has a top speed of 1,351 miles per hour. Head to head, this makes the Dassault Mirage 2000 101 miles per hour faster than the MiG-21.

About the MiG-21

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, known by its NATO reporting name "Fishbed," is one of the most produced jet fighters in aviation history, with over 11,000 units built by the Soviet Union from 1959 into the 1980s. This aircraft served as the backbone of the Soviet Air Force and its allies throughout the Cold War, making it one of the most widely exported fighters ever, used by over 60 countries across four continents.

Production History: The development of the MiG-21 began in the early 1950s, with the first prototype taking flight in 1956. It was introduced into service in 1959, marking a significant leap in Soviet fighter technology with its Mach 2 capabilities. The MiG-21 was continuously improved and produced in various versions, including interceptor, fighter-bomber, and reconnaissance variants.

Design Features: The MiG-21's design is characterized by its delta wing and unique fuselage, which houses a single Tumansky turbojet engine. This configuration provided the aircraft with excellent speed and agility. The aircraft's relatively small size and simple design also contributed to its low production and maintenance costs. Despite its compact frame, the MiG-21 was capable of carrying a range of weapons systems, including air-to-air missiles, bombs, and an internal autocannon.

Operational History: The MiG-21 saw extensive combat use in several conflicts during the latter half of the 20th century, including the Vietnam War, where it engaged in dogfights with American F-4 Phantoms and F-105 Thunderchiefs. The aircraft continued to see action in various regional conflicts around the world, proving its effectiveness in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.

Comparison with Similar Models

MiG-21 vs. F-4 Phantom II

Role and Capabilities: While both aircraft were primary fighters of their respective air forces during the Vietnam War, the MiG-21 was lighter, faster, and more agile, designed for quick intercept missions. In contrast, the F-4 Phantom II was a larger, more versatile fighter-bomber capable of performing a wide range of missions.

Performance: The MiG-21's design focused on high-speed interception and agility, making it especially effective in close-range dogfights. The F-4, however, had a greater payload, longer range, and was equipped with advanced radar and missile systems, allowing it to engage enemies beyond visual range effectively.

MiG-21 vs. F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger II

Design Evolution: Both aircraft were developed around the same time and shared roles as lightweight, cost-effective fighters for their respective allies. The F-5 was designed with a focus on ease of maintenance and versatility, while the MiG-21 was optimized for speed and altitude performance.

Operational Capabilities: The MiG-21 and F-5 were considered well-matched adversaries, with similar sizes and speeds. However, the MiG-21's delta wing provided it with a slight edge in maneuverability at higher speeds, whereas the F-5 offered better visibility and weapon accuracy at lower speeds.

About the Dassault Mirage 2000

The Mirage 2000 is a French multirole, single-engine fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. Introduced in 1984, it was designed as a lightweight fighter with a focus on simplicity, reliability, and versatility, drawing from the success of its predecessors in the Mirage series. The Mirage 2000 has been employed by several air forces around the world and has proven itself in various international conflicts.

Production History: Development of the Mirage 2000 started in the late 1970s as a project to create a versatile platform that could meet operational requirements without the complexity and cost of some contemporary fighters. The aircraft entered operational service in 1984 with the French Air Force, and over its production lifespan, more than 600 units were built across several variants, including air superiority, ground-attack, and reconnaissance models.

Design Features: The Mirage 2000 features a delta wing design, which contributes to its high maneuverability and allows for a wide range of airspeeds and altitudes. Powered by a single SNECMA M53 turbofan engine, it can achieve supersonic speeds without afterburners. The fighter is equipped with advanced avionics, including radar, electronic warfare systems, and a comprehensive weapons suite.

Operational History: The Mirage 2000 has seen combat in numerous conflicts, including the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and operations in Afghanistan and Libya. Its performance in air-to-air combat and precision ground-attack missions has validated its design philosophy, emphasizing ease of maintenance, operational flexibility, and combat effectiveness.

Comparison with Similar Models

Mirage 2000 vs. F-16 Fighting Falcon

Agility and Engine Power: Both aircraft are praised for their agility in the air, with the Mirage 2000's delta wing offering excellent maneuverability at high speeds. The F-16 has a slight edge in engine thrust-to-weight ratio, providing rapid acceleration and climb rates.

Avionics and Weapon Systems: The F-16 has seen numerous updates to its avionics and weapon systems, keeping it competitive with newer aircraft models. The Mirage 2000 has also been upgraded over time, particularly in its radar and missile capabilities, maintaining its effectiveness in modern combat scenarios.

Mirage 2000 vs. MiG-29

Design Philosophy: The Mirage 2000 and the MiG-29 were developed around the same time, with each aircraft reflecting a different design philosophy. The Mirage 2000 focuses on simplicity and versatility, while the MiG-29 is designed for superior air superiority with its robust airframe and powerful engines.

Operational Flexibility: While the MiG-29 excels in air combat with its high maneuverability and powerful radar, the Mirage 2000 offers greater versatility with its multirole capabilities, allowing for effective air-to-air and air-to-ground operations.

Share:
Values shown may not be 100% accurate, as some metrics are averages or only represent certain production years and configurations. Engine specs are based on the best options available.

Related Fighter Jet Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the WebFlite Aircraft Comparison Tool.

What is this comparison tool?

WebFlite’s Aircraft Comparison Tool allows users to contrast the specifications of over 100 airliner, freighter, and fighter jet models. The head-to-head comparisons include data related to size, weight, capacity, performance, and much more! Whether you want to compare similar aircraft, old vs new, big vs small - you can find it here at WebFlite!

How do you use this tool?

The Aircraft Comparison Tool is extremely easy to use! First, select your type of aircraft - Airliners, Freighters, or Fighter Jets. When the page reloads, select an aircraft from each of the two drop-down menus below the aircraft illustrations, and then click the blue “Compare” button. The page will automatically update and display those two aircraft and their specs! You can start a new comparison by changing either one or both aircraft from the drop-downs, and clicking “Compare” again. You can also change the aircraft type at the top of the page.

Where does the aircraft data come from?

The data for these aircraft has been scraped from a few sources, including manufacturer websites, government databases, and Wikipedia. While the data is fairly accurate, we cannot guarantee it all to be 100% exact. This is mainly due to discrepancies between sub-models and configurations. Most aircraft in this comparison tool will include what variant its data is based off of.

What are the most popular aircraft comparisons?
Can I share this tool or a comparison?

Yes! Please feel free to share this tool or any specific aircraft comparison with friends, family, or on social media! You may also share on your own website, but please include a link to the tool! We appreciate any support with helping us grow!

webflite-logoWebFlite
2023 WebFlite. All rights reserved.