During the Vietnam War, the MIG-19 failed to deliver on its high price tag. Analyzing its reception at the time, Michael Peck of The National Interest observes, “Intensive maintenance requirements and difficult handling characteristics proved unpopular with the Soviets and many of their allies, such as North Vietnam.” Yet, China had a different opinion. Peck writes, “Strangely, China proved quite fond of the MIG-19.”
China bought hundreds of MIG-19s and even had its own production facility. It’s almost certain that China wasn’t just buying and building the MIG-19 for combat service. At the time, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s best home designs couldn’t match the speed and low-altitude performance of the MIG-19. Many other countries were also relying on the MIG-19’s superior engineering, such as North Korea where it’s still used today.
With conflicts in Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan raging in the mid-20th century, the PRC needed something highly maneuverable for ground attacks and close air support. The MIG-19 was the perfect model. Plus, if China could get its name on a modern supersonic jet (albeit one that “borrowed” its tech from Soviet engineers), it would be a symbol of its global power.
