The P-16 is one of the few jet fighters developed in Switzerland. The aircraft was conceived as an aircraft that would be capable of taking off from unprepared, short airfields in the mountains because of its compact size, short wings that have a large area and a high-thrust engine. Being great in dogfights, the P-16 is best used turning at extremely low altitudes and speeds, where other jet aircraft would risk stalling and crashing.

The P-16 features AIM-9B air-to-air missiles plus two high velocity HS 825 30 mm cannons located at the center of the fuselage with a total ammunition count of 240. On four hardpoints under the wings, the P-16 can carry bombs of various sizes up to 2,000 lb, or even napalm bombs too. This aircraft can also carry a total of 48 R80 SURA rockets, or 44 SNEB rockets that are located in a special retractable launcher under the fuselage.