MiG-21 Bison vs F-16 Fighting Falcon, technical comparison.

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MiG-21 Bison vs. F-16 Fighting Falcon – A Technical Comparison

Factual comparison between: India’s MiG-21 Bison and Pakistan’s F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Indian MiG-21 BISON Fects

NOTE: Images for reference only.

The MiG-21 Bison is an upgraded version of the Soviet-era MiG-21, still in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF.)

• Single-engine, single-seater, multirole fighter aircraft (upgraded from the original MiG-21.)

• One of the oldest fighter jets still serving in the Indian Air Force (IAF), though upgraded with modern avionics and weapon systems.

• Equipped with beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, modern radar, and electronic warfare systems.

• Primarily designed for air defense and interception roles, with limited multirole capability.

• Maximum speed: approximately 2,230 km/h (Mach 2.05–2.1).

Depending on the versions armament may differ.

• The Indian Air Force version includes air-to-air missiles and precision-guided munitions.

• MiG-21 BISON carries one 23mm twin barrel GSh-23 cannon and up to four R-60 short-range, infrared-guided air-to-air missiles.

• The MiG-21 Bison is considered a third-generation fighter aircraft, upgraded with fourth-generation avionics and weaponry.

• Gun: 1 × internal 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23L twin-barrel autocannon with 200 rounds.

• Hardpoints: 4 external pylons with a total capacity of up to 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) of stores.

• Provisions to carry combinations of:

Rockets: S-24 unguided rockets.

Air-to-Air Missiles: K-13, K-5 (early), R-60, R-73, R-77, and R-27.

Air-to-Surface Missiles: Kh-66 Grom, Kh-25, Kh-31.

Bombs: KAB-500KR TV-guided bomb, conventional free-fall bombs including up to 4 × 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs.

Pakistan’s F-16 Fighting Falcon Facts:

NOTE: Image for reference only.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multirole fighter used by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF.)

•F-16 Fighting Falcon is a 4th Generation fighter jet.

• Pakistan Air Force (PAF) operates F-16C/D variants of F 16, which are advanced multirole combat aircraft.

• Single-engine, supersonic, all-weather multirole fighter jet.

• It plays a key role in Pakistan Air Force (PAF) air defense and strike capabilities.

• Maximum speed: approximately 2,414 km/h (Mach 2.0+).

Pakistan’s inventory may differ from the full F-16 capabilities.

• Armament varies depending on versions, depending on production model it can carry:

• Typical loadout includes up to six AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missiles (AAM) by employing rail launchers on each wingtip.

AIM-7 Sparrow or AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided medium-range air-to-air missiles.

• The aircraft can carry various other AAMs, a wide variety of air-to-ground missiles, rockets or bombs;

• Nine external hardpoints: six under the wings, two on the wingtips, and one under the fuselage.

These can carry a mix of electronic countermeasure (ECM) pods, navigation and targeting pods, fuel tanks, or a wide range of weapons.

• Two other locations under the fuselage are available for sensor or radar pods, enhancing situational awareness and targeting capabilities.

• The F-16 carries a 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan rotary cannon for close range aerial combat and strafing, mounted inside the fuselage to the left of the cockpit, with a high rate of fire.

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