Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the interceptors category.
01 / Overview
Boulton Paul Defiant
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1939–1944
Quantity
1,064
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
INTERCEPTORS · WORLD WAR II
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
60
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the interceptors category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1937
- Service Entry Year1939
- Crew2
- Primary RoleInterceptor, night fighter, trainer, target tug
- Generation2nd
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant7MOD.7
- Engine TypePiston
- Engine ModelRolls-Royce Merlin III / Merlin XX
- Number of Engines1
- AfterburnerNo
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel680 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed504 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)0.41 Mach
- Cruise Speed402 km/h
- Stall Speed113 km/h
- Service Ceiling9,250 m
- Ferry Range748 km
- Combat Radius467 km
- Rate of Climb15.7 m/s
- G-Limit6.7
- Takeoff Run305 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length10.77 m
- Wingspan11.99 m
- Height3.45 m
- Wing Area23.23
- Empty Weight2,762 kg
- Loaded Weight3,821 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight3,900 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload1,059 kg
- Internal Gun4x .303 Browning in dorsal turret
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesNo
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Nuclear CapableNo
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarAI Mk IV (night fighter variants)
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteNo
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkNo
- Targeting PodNo
⬢Production1MOD.1
- Total Built1,064
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1950
- Production Start1937
- Production End1943
- Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1939Production started
- 1944Production ended
87
years in service
5
years in production
1,064
units produced
6
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
INTERCEPTORS RANKING Interceptors · World War II
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
66INTERCEPTORS2WORLD WAR II · INTERCEPTORS795UNITED KINGDOM · ALL WEAPONS42PERFORMANCE/PRICE · INTERCEPTORS
ⓘ Rankings are within theInterceptorscategory.
📚 Sources