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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
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The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-21) (NATO reporting name "Fishbed"), and MiG-21
popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the famous Russian stringed
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musical instrument, is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed and built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau
in the Soviet Union. Some 50 countries over four continents have flown the MiG-21, and it still serves many nations
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a half-century after its maiden flight. The plane has the distinction of holding a number of aviation records,
including 1) most produced jet aircraft in aviation history 2) most produced combat aircraft since World War II and
3) longest production run of a combat aircraft. Its Mach 2 capability exceeds the top speed of many later modern
[2]
of
fighter types. It has been estimated that more than 10,000 MiG-21s were built . MiG-21bis of 1st Naval Fighter Sqn., Polish Air Force.
Contents [hide]
Role Fighter
● 1 Development
as
❍ 1.1 Production Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich OKB
● 2 Technical description First flight 14 June 1956
● 3 Operational history Introduced 1959
❍ 3.1 Vietnam
3.2 Middle East

y Primary users Soviet Air Force
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❍
Indian Air Force
❍ 3.3 India
Romanian Air Force
❍ 3.4 Former Yugoslavia
Vietnam People's Air Force
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❍ 3.5 Africa
Number built 10,352[1]
❍ 3.6 Romania
10,158 were made in the USSR, another 194 in the
● 4 Variants
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Czechoslovak republic
❍ 4.1 Foreign variants
Variants Ye-150
5 Operators
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❍ 5.1 Current operators Ye-152
❍ 5.2 Former operators Chengdu J-7

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❍ 5.3 Civil operators

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● 6 Specifications (Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-
21bis)
7 See also
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● 8 References
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-21&oldid=229075490 (1 of 20) [8/25/2008 4:51:48 PM]

❍ 8.1 Bibliography
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● 9 External links
Development
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The MiG 21 jet fighter was a continuation of Soviet jet fighters, starting with the subsonic MiG-15, MiG-17, and
the low-supersonic MiG-19. A number of experimental Mach 2 Soviet designs were based on nose intakes with
either swept-back wings, such as the Sukhoi Su-7, or tailed deltas, of which the MiG-21 would be the most successful.
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The E-5 prototype of the MiG-21 was first flown in 1955 and made its first public appearance during the
Soviet Aviation Day display at Moscow's Tushino Airport in June 1956. The first delta-wing prototype, named Ye-4
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(or E-4) flew on 14 June 1956, and the production MiG-21 entered service in early 1959. Employing a
delta configuration, the MiG-21 was the first successful Soviet aircraft combining fighter and interceptor
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characteristics in a single aircraft. It was a lightweight fighter, achieving Mach 2 with a relatively low-
powered afterburning turbojet, and is thus comparable to the American F-104 Starfighter and French Dassault
Mirage III.
of
When the MiG-21 was first introduced, it exhibited several flaws. Its early version air-to-air missiles, the Vympel K-
13 (NATO reporting name AA-2 'Atoll'), were not successful in combat, and its gyro gunsight was easily thrown off
in high-speed maneuvers, making the initial version of the MiG-21 an ineffective aircraft. These problems
as
were remedied, and during the Middle Eastern and Vietnam wars, the MiG-21 proved to be an effective
aircraft. Subsequent MiG-21 models added design modifications to incorporate lessons learned in these wars.
Like many aircraft designed as interceptors, the MiG-21 had a short range. This was not helped by a design
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defect where the center of gravity shifted rearwards once two-thirds of the fuel had been used. This had the effect
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of making the plane uncontrollable, resulting in an endurance of only 45 minutes in clean condition. The delta
wing, while excellent for a fast-climbing interceptor, meant any form of turning combat led to a rapid loss of
speed. However, the light loading of the aircraft could mean that, at 50% fuel and with two Atolls, a climb rate
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of 58,000 ft (17,670 m) per minute was possible, not far short of the performance of the later F-16A. Given
a skilled pilot and capable missiles, it could give a good account of itself against contemporary fighters. It
was replaced by the newer variable-geometry MiG-23 and MiG-27 for ground support duties. However, not until
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the MiG-29 would the Soviet Union ultimately replace the MiG-21 as a maneuvering dogfighter to counter
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new American air superiority types.
The MiG-21 was exported widely and continues to be used well past the time where it might have been
considered obsolete. The aircraft's simple controls, engine, weapons, and avionics were typical of Soviet-era
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military designs. While technologically inferior to the more advanced fighters it often faced, low production
and maintenance costs made it a favorite of nations buying Eastern Bloc military hardware.
Due to the lack of available information, early details of the MiG-21 were often confused with those of the
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similar Sukhoi fighters also under development. Jane's All

the World's Aircraft
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1960-1961 describes the "Fishbed" as a Sukhoi design, and uses an illustration of
the Su-9 'Fishpot'.
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Production
A total of 10158 (some sources say 10645) were built in the USSR. They were produced in three factories, in the
[3]
GAZ 30 in Moscow (also known as Znamiya Truda), in GAZ 21 in Gorky and in GAZ 31 in Tbilisi. The type of
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"MiG" manufactured differed. Gorky built single-seaters for the Soviet forces. Moscow built single-seaters for
export and Tbilisi manufactured the twin-seaters both for export and for the USSR. However, there are
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Mig-21 at Aleksotas Airport
exceptions. The MiG-21R and MiG-21bis for export and for the USSR were built in Gorky, 17 single-seaters were
(S. Dariaus / S. Gireno), Kaunas
built in Tbilisi (probably MiG-21F), the MiG-21MF was first built in Moscow and then Gorky, and the MiG-21U was
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(EYKS)
built in Moscow as well as in Tbilisi. The count for each factory is:
● 5278(or 5765) in Gorky
● 3203 in Moscow
of
● 1677 in Tbilisi [1]
Technical description
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The MiG-21 is a single-engined jet fighter aircraft capable of supersonic flight. [2] [3]
Wing
The MiG-21 has a delta wing. The sweep angle on the leading edge is 57° with a TsAGI S-12 airfoil. The angle
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of incidence is 0° while the dihedral angle is -2°. On the trailing edge there are ailerons with an area of 1.18 m²,
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and flaps with an area of 1.87 m². In front of the ailerons there are small wing fences.
Fuselage
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A semi-monocoque with an elliptical profile with a maximum width of 1.24m. The air flow to the engine is
MiG-21 cockpit
regulated by a cone in the air intake. Up until the MiG-21PF it is three staged. On speeds up to M=1,5 it is
fully retracted, between speeds of M=1.5 and M=1.9 it is in the middle position, and with speeds higher than
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M=1.9 it is in the maximum forward position. However, on the MiG-21PF it adapts to the actual speed, according
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to the UVD-2M system aboard the aircraft, which monitors the pressure in front and behind the compressor of
the engine. On both side of the nose there are gills to supply the engine with more air while on the ground and
during takeoff. In the first variant of the MiG-21, the pitot tube is on the bottom of the nose; after the MiG-21P,
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every version of the -21 has this tube situated on the top of the air intake. The cabin is pressurized and
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air conditioned. The canopy up until the MiG-21PFM opens on a hinge on the front of the canopy. When ejecting,
the SK-1 ejection seat connects with the canopy making a capsule to enclose the pilot and protect him from
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the airflow, after which it would separate and the pilot would parachute down. However, the canopy took too long
to separate and some pilots were killed after ejecting at low altitudes. On the MiG-21PFM the canopy opens on
a hinge on the right side of the cockpit. On the belly of the plane there are three air brakes, two at the front and
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one at the back. The front brakes have an area of 0.76 m², and a deflection angle of 35°. The back one has an
area of 0.46 m² and a deflection angle of 40°. The usage of the back air brake is blocked if the plane carries
an external fuel tank. Behind the air brakes are the bays for the main landing gear. Under the body, just behind
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the trailing edge of the wing, two JATO rockets can be attached. The front part of the fuselage ends with former
#28. Beginning with former #28a is the back part of the fuselage, which is removable for engine maintenance.
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Empennage
The empennage of the MiG-21 consists of a vertical stabilizer, a stabilator and a small fin on the bottom of the tail
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to improve yaw control. The vertical stabilizer has a sweep angle of 60° and an area of 5.32 m² (on earlier
version 3.8 m²) and a rudder. The stabilator has sweep angle of 57°, an area of 3.94 m² and a span of 2.6m.
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Landing Gear
A tricycle type undercarriage with a nose gear. The main landing gear has tires 800 mm in diameter and 600 mm
in width (till the MiG-21P 660x200). The wheels of the main landing gear retract in the fuselage after rotating 87°,
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the shock absorbers retract in the wing. The nose gear retracts forward in the fuselage under the radar. The
wheel base is 4.71m, the track width is 2.69m.
Engines
as
[4]
The MiG-21 engine was produced in several variants.
MiG-21MF nose landing gear
Engine Thrust (kN)

[5] Variant
R-11F-300 38.2/53.4
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F, F-13, U
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R-11F2-300 38.7/60.0 F-13 (refitted), PF, FL
R-11F2S-300 38.2/60.6 PF, PFS, PFM, R, S, M, US, UM
R-11F2SK-300 38.2/60.6 MF
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R-13-300 39.9/63.7 M (refitted), MF, RF, SM, SMT, UM (refitted)
R-25-300 40.2/69.9 97,1kN with "extreme afterburner" bis

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Operational history
Vietnam
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The MiG-21 initially achieved renown in the Vietnam War, during which it saw frequent action. It was one of the
most advanced aircraft at the time; however, many North Vietnamese aces preferred flying the MiG-17, since the
high wing loading on the MiG-21 made it less maneuverable than the MiG-17. Although the MiG-21 lacked the
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long-range radar, missiles, and heavy bombing payload of its contemporary multi-mission U.S. fighters, it proved
MiG-21F-13 of Vietnam
a challenging adversary in the hands of experienced pilots especially when used in high speed hit and run
People's Air Force captured by

attacks under GCI control. MiG-21 intercepts of F-105 strike groups were effective in downing US aircraft or
Americans in museum.
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forcing them to jettison their bomb loads.
By the bombing halt in Operation Rolling Thunder in 1968, poor air-to-air combat loss-exchange ratios
against smaller, more agile enemy MiGs during the early part of the Vietnam War eventually led the USAF to
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establish Dissimilar Air Combat Training programs such as Navy "Top Gun", these two programs employed subsonic
A-4 Skyhawk and F-5 Tiger II aircraft to mimic the performance of more maneuverable opponents like the MiG-17
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and MiG-21.
A VPAF MiG-21MF flown by Phạm Tuân over Hanoi, North Vietnam on December 26, 1972 was apparently
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responsible for the only claimed air combat kill of a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress in history. The B-52 had
been circling above Hanoi during Operation Linebacker II. Over the course of the Vietnam War, between April
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26, 1965 and January 8, 1973, each side claimed favorable kill ratios.
Middle East
The MiG-21 was also used extensively in the Middle East conflicts of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s by the air forces
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of Egypt, Syria and Iraq against Israel. The MiG-21 first faced Israeli Mirage IIICs on April 7th, 1967 when six
Syrian MiG-21's were shot down by the Israeli Mirages. The MiG-21 would face F-4 Phantom IIs and A-4
Skyhawks later in the 1970s, but was later outclassed by the more modern F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Line of Algerian MiG-21F-13
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Falcon, which were acquired by Israel beginning in the 1980s. The MiG-21 was also used in the early stages of fighters.
the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December, 1979.
Egypt would eventually be shipped some American Sidewinder missiles, and these were fitted to their MiG-21s
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and successfully used in combat against Libyan MiG-23s during the brief 1977 war.
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During the Yom Kippur War, in the "Air Battle of el-Mansoura" Egypt, Israel launched a large scale raid with over
100 aircraft – F-4 Phantoms and A-4 Skyhawks – attempting to hit the huge air base at el-Mansourah. It
culminated in an almost continuous dogfight lasting no less than 53 minutes. According to Egyptian estimates
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over 180 aircraft were involved at one time, the majority belonging to the Israelis. At 10pm local time Cairo
Radio broadcast “Communiqué Number 39”, announcing that there had been several air battles that day over
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a number of Egyptian airfields, that most intensive being over the northern Delta area. It also claimed that 15
enemy aircraft had been downed by Egyptian fighters for the loss of three Egyptian aircraft, while an even
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greater number of Israelis had been shot down by the Army and the Air Defense Forces over Sinai and the
Suez Canal. For its part, Israel Radio claimed, early the following morning, that the IAF had shot down 15
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Egyptian aircraft, a figure subsequently reduced to seven. . Following a more detailed analysis after the war
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had ended, the EAF actually increased its original claims and now asserts that the results of the el-Mansourah
air battle were as follows: 17 Israeli aircraft confirmed shot down for the loss of six MiGs. Of the EAF aircraft
lost, three were shot down by the enemy, two crashed because they ran out of fuel before their pilots could return
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[6]
to base and a third blew up after flying through the debris of an exploding Phantom which it had just shot down.

India
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The Indian Air Force has been one of the largest users of the MiG-21 since its initial employment of the plane in
A MiG-21 Bis of the No.3 Sqn
the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. That war witnessed the first supersonic air combat in the subcontinent when at Pathankot AB, India. The
Cobra insignia can be seen
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[7]
an Indian MiG-21 shot down a PAF F-104 Starfighter. It was also used as late as 1999 in the Kargil War. The fairly visibly.
MiG-21's last known kill took place in 1999 during the Atlantique Incident when two MiG-21 aircraft of the Indian
A MiG-21 Bis of the No.3 Sqn
Air Force shot down a Breguet Atlantique reconnaissance aircraft of the Pakistani Navy, which had violated the
at Pathankot AB, India. The
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[8]
Indian airspace. Upgraded MiG-21 'Bison' aircraft reportedly performed well against F-15 and F-16s (and even the
Cobra insignia can be seen fairly
F-22 in restrict conditions) of the USAF during Indo-US joint air exercises, surprising American pilots with
visibly.
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its capabilities. Reportedly in simulated air combat maneuvering the new 'Bison' variants were way ahead of
the western machines and effectively managed to win the mock engagements by a large scale. They will remain
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[9]
in service until 2017.
Former Yugoslavia
During 1991-1995, Yugoslav People's Army and Serb forces used its MiG-21 Ms (about a hundred in
of
total compromising 1/3 of the entire air force) during the Slovenian War, Croatian War of Independence and
the Bosnian War and again during the 1999 Kosovo War and NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. Except during the The MiG-21 of the Yugoslav
NATO intervention, the aircraft had no air opposition and was mainly used in a ground-attack role. One piloted Air Force before the Yugoslav
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by Emir Šišić shot down a UN helicopter that entered the Yugoslav airspace unannounced. Detailed records show Civil Wars.
[10]
at least six MiGs were shot down by AA defenses in Croatia and Bosnia and another 24 were destroyed by
[10]
NATO, all while on the ground. Croatia acquired three MiG-21s in 1992. through defections by Croatian pilots
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of JNA two of whom were lost in subsequent actions - one to Serbian air defenses the other in a friendly fire
accident[4]. In 1993, Croatia purchased about 40 MiG-21s in violation of arms embargo[5], but only about 20 of
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these entered service, while the rest were used for spare parts[6]. Croatia used them alongside the sole
remaining defector for ground attack missions in operations Flash (during which one was lost[7]) and Storm. The
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only air to air action for Croatian MiGs was an attempt by two of them to intercept J-22 Oraos of Republika Srpska
Air Force on ground attack mission on 7th of August 1995. After some maneuvering both sides disengaged
without having fired a single bullet[8].

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Africa
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During the Cold War MiG-21s were supplied to many sub-Saharan African nations by the Soviets. Their most
notable use in combat occurred during the Angolan Civil War in the hands of the People's Air and Air Defence Force
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of Angola. Cuban Air Force pilots also flew MiG-21s over Angola during the War. Both Angolan and Cuban MiG-
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21s often had encounters with South African Air Force Mirages.
The MIG-21s combat record in the Horn of Africa was dismal. During the Ethiopia-Somalia war of 1977-78,
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Ethiopian American supplied F-5Es shot down several MIG-21s of the Somali Air Force in dogfights without any air-
to-air losses. Ironically, Ethiopia also received the advanced bis version of the MIG-21s which were initially flown
by Cuban pilots. Ethiopian F-5Es flew several simulated dogfights against the top Cuban pilots flying the MIG-
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21s without any losses. In 1999 several Ethiopian MiG-21s where shot down by Eritrian MiG-29s in a short border
[11]
war.
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Romania
Beginning in 1993, Russia did not offer spare parts for the MiG-23 and MiG-29 for the Romanian Air Force.
Initially, this was the context for the modernization of the Romanian MiG-21's with Elbit systems, and because it
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was easier for the Romanians to maintain these fighter jets. 110 MiG-21's were modernized under the
LanceR designation. Today, only 48 LanceRs are operational for the RoAF. It can use both Western and
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Eastern armament such as the R-60M, R-73, Magic 2, or Python III missiles. They will be replaced in 2012 when Romanian Air Force MiG-21
UM LanceR-B
new fighter jets will arrive, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon or Gripen.
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Variants
See also: Chengdu J-7
of
Ye-2 (NATO: "Faceplate")
Swept-wing prototype.
Ye-4 (I-500)
as
MiG-21PFM, Polish Air Force,
The first delta wing prototype of the MiG-21.
markings of 10th Fighter Regt.
Ye-5 (NATO "Fishbed")
Delta wing research prototype. Mikoyan Ye-150, a MiG-21
Ye-6
y derivative
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Three pre-production aircraft.
MiG-21 MiG-21, Deutsches Museum,
The first series of fighters. Munich

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MiG-21F (NATO: "Fishbed-B")
Single-seat day fighter aircraft. It was the first production aircraft, with 40 machines being made. The MiG-21F
Mikoyan Ye-150, a MiG-21
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carried 2160 liters of fuel in six internal fuel tanks and was powered by a Tumansky R-11 turbojet engine
derivative
with 5740kgf of thrust, and armed with two 30-mm NR-30 cannons 60 shells each, it was also capable of carrying
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two bombs ranging from 50 to 500 kg each. Prototype Ye-6T was redesignated MiG-21F.
Ye-50
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Swept-wing research prototype.

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Ye-66
Single-seat version, built for breaking the world speed record.
Ye-66A
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Built to break the world altitude record.

Ye-66B
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Rocket-boosted variant built to establish women's time-to-height records.
Ye-76
Designation used for MiG-21PFs used to establish women's speed records.
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Ye-150
Interceptor prototype, essentially an enlarged MiG-21.
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Ye-152 (NATO "Flipper")
Bigger than a MiG-21, the Ye-152 'Flipper' was a high-performance aircraft, which achieved at least 3 world records.
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MiG-21F-13 (NATO "Fishbed-C")
Single-seat, short-range day fighter. The MiG-21F-13 was the first mass-production model. The MiG-21F-13
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was powered by a Tumansky R-11 turbojet engine, it was armed with two Vympel K-13 (AA-2 'Atoll') air-to-
air missiles, and one 30-mm NR-30 cannon with a 30 shell magazine. The Type 74 is the Indian Air
Force designation. The MiG-21F-13 was made in China, and designated Chengdu J-7 or F-7 for export.
MiG-21FL
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Export model of the MiG-21PF. Built under license in India as the Type 77.
MiG-21I (NATO "Analog")
Testbed for the wing design of the Tu-144 (NATO: 'Charger') supersonic transport.
as
MiG-21SPS
Version built for East Germany.
MiG-21P (NATO "Fishbed-D / Fishbed-E")

y
Single-seat, limited all-weather interceptor fighter. Armed with two air-to-air missiles only.
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MiG-21PF (NATO "Fishbed-D / Fishbed-E") MiG-21 SPS
Single-seat, limited all-weather fighter, equipped with a RP21 Sapfir radar. The MiG-21PF is the
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second production model. Prototype Ye-7, Type 76 Indian Air Force designation.
MiG-21PF (SPS) (NATO "Fishbed-E")
MiG-21PFM (NATO "Fishbed-F")

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Single-seat, limited all-weather fighter, with upgraded radar and a more powerful engine. Improved version of
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the MiG-21PFS.
MiG-21PFS (NATO "Fishbed-F")
Single-seat, limited all-weather fighter, with upgraded radar and a more powerful engine.
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MiG-21 (NATO "Fishbed-G")
Experimental short take-off and landing version of the MiG-21PFM. Two lift engines in lengthened fuselage.
MiG-21R (NATO "Fishbed-H")

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Single-seat tactical reconnaissance version of the MiG-21PFM.

MiG-21RF (NATO "Fishbed-J")
Single-seat tactical reconnaissance version of the MiG-21MF.
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MiG-21S (NATO "Fishbed-J")
Single-seat interceptor fighter version, equipped with an RP-22 radar and an external gun pod. (Incorrectly
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identified by NATO as the MiG-21PFMA); E-8, Type 88 Indian Air Force designation.
MiG-21SM
Single-seat interceptor fighter version, powered by a Tumansky R-13-300 turbojet engine.
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MiG-21PFV
High-altitude version
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(perekhvatchik MiG-21M aircraft of SFR
Yugoslav Air Force.
forsirovannij visotnij , high-altitude boosted interceptor).
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MiG-21M
MiG-21M aircraft of SFR
Yugoslav Air Force.
Export version powered by a Tumansky R-13 turbojet engine. Built under license in India as the Type 96.
of
MiG-21MF
Export version powered by a Tumansky R-13 turbojet engine. MiG-21MF, Polish Air Force,
as
MiG-21MF (NATO "Fishbed-J") markings of 3rd Tactical Sqn.
Single-seat multi-role fighter version, equipped with a RP-22 radar, powered by a Tumansky R-13-300
turbojet engine.
MiG-21MF-R
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After the MiG-21R was withdrawn from service in the Bulgarian Air force in 1995, a group of engineers fitted the
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MiG-21MFs with the recon containers from the MiG-21Rs.
MiG-21SMT (NATO "Fishbed-K")

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MiG-21SMT of the former
Soviet Air Force.

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Single-seat multi-role fighter version, powered by a Tumansky R-13 turbojet engine. Increased fuel and
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ECM capability. (E-9, block 94 and 96) MiG-21 bis fighter aircraft of
YuAF.
MiG-21bis (NATO "Fishbed-L")
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Single-seat multi-role fighter and ground-attack aircraft. The final production model built up until 1977 in Russia MiG-21 bis fighter aircraft of
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and 1987 in India. This version is powered by a Tumansky R-25-300 turbojet engine, and carries 2880 liters of YuAF.
fuel. The engines are capable of "extreme afterburner" for up to 3 min - increasing the thrust from 7100 kgf to
9900 kgf. It can accelerate from 600 km/h to 1100 km/h in 18 seconds (the MiG-29 does it in 11,6 sec). The
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climb rate is 225 m/s. In comparison the F-14 has a climb rate of 152 m/s, the MiG-17F 65 m/s, the F-16A 215 m/s.

MiG-21 bis (NATO "Fishbed-N")
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Single-seat multi-role fighter and ground-attack aircraft.
MiG-21U (NATO "Mongol-A")
Two-seat training version of the MiG-21F-13. Type 66 Indian Air Force designation.
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MiG-21US (NATO "Mongol-B")
Two-seat training version. Type 68 Indian Air Force designation.
MiG-21UT
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Two-seat trainer.
MiG-21UM (NATO "Mongol-B")
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MiG-21UM trainer aircraft of
FRY Air Force.
Two-seat training version of the MiG-21MF. Type 69 Indian Air Force designation.
JJ-7
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MiG-21UM trainer aircraft of
Two-seat training version of the J-7.
FRY Air Force.
FT-7
Export designation of the JJ-7.
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MiG-21-93 Bison
Upgraded version for export and Indian Air Force is the first customer. Armed with Phazotron Kopyo (Spear)
airborne radar, which is capable of simultaneously tracking 8 targets and engage 2 of the 8 target tracked with
as
semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile such as Vympel R-27. The radar also enable to fighter to deploy
active radar homing air-to-air missile such as Vympel R-77 when additional channel is incorporated. Russian
advertise has claimed that this version is equivalent to early F-16.
MiG-21-97
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MiG-21-93 upgrade. MiG-21-93 re-engined with Klimov RD-33 engine. Russians have claimed that the evaluation
at Ramenskoye Airport had shown that this version had beaten simulated F-16 in mocked dogfight with a score
of 4:1.
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MiG-21 LanceR
Upgraded version for the Romanian Air Force done by Elbit of Israel and Aerostar of Romania. The LanceR-A
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version is optimized for ground attack being able to deliver precision guided munitions of eastern and western
MiG-21 LanceR 'C' taking off
origin as well as R-60, R-73 and Python III air to air missiles. The LanceR-B version is the trainer version and from the RoAF 71st Air Base
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the LanceR-C version is the air superiority version featuring 2 LCD MFDs, helmet mounted sight and the Elta EL/
M-2032 Air combat radar.[9] MiG-21 LanceR 'C' taking off

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MiG-21MFN from the RoAF 71st Air Base

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Upgraded MF version for the Czech Air force (navigation and communication systems for compatibility with NATO).
MiG-21bisD/UMD
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Croatian Air Force MiG-21 bis-
Upgraded in 2003 for the Croatian Air force with some elements of the Lancer standard. Modernized for a 10- D
year period but due to be withdrawn from service in 2011. Reported to have the ability to fire Swedish RBS-15F
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anti-ship missiles.
MiG-21-2000
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MiG-21 2000
Single-seat 21st century version for export buyers. Made by Israel Aerospace Industries.
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Foreign variants
China (PRC)
Chinese copies of the MiG-21 are designated Chengdu J-7 and F-7 (for export).
of
Czechoslovakia
Between 1962 and 1972 the MiG-21F-13 version was manufactured under license by Aero Vodochody,
in Czechoslovakia. Aero Vodochody (then Středočeské strojírny, n.p.), built a total of 194 planes during this
as
period, under the cover designation article Z-159. It followed the MiG-15 and MiG-19S built in Vodochody factory
from the fifties to sixties. The sole locally-built version of the MiG-21F-13 differed externally from the Soviet-
built examples by the solid dural sheet fairing behind the cockpit canopy, as opposed to the transparent one on
y
the original Soviet MiGs. These machines were built for the Czechoslovak Air Force and also for export. The R-13-
op
citation needed
[ ]
300 engines were imported from the Soviet Union.
India
C
The production of the MiG-21bis assembled from CKD parts and also reportedly built from scratch in
India under license by Hindustan Aeronautics in Nasik lasted until 1984. Despite a series of crashes during the
1990s, which led to the aircraft acquiring the nickname "flying coffin," the Indian Air Force has decided to
d
upgrade about 128 of the MiG-21bis in its inventory to the MiG-21 "Bison" standard. These will serve IAF MiG-21 Bison
ve
the Indian Air Force until 2015.
Israel
i
[12]
Israeli Aircraft Industries manufactures an upgrade package for the MiG-21 called the MiG-21-2000.
ch
Israel/Romania
A joint venture between Aerostar SA and Elbit has developed the "LanceR" upgrade package for the MiG-21, and
Ar
114 MiG-21s have been upgraded to the MiG-21 LanceR configuration for the Romanian Air Force.

Russia
08
Russia now offers an upgrade package to bring late-model MiG-21s up to the MiG-21-93 standard. This
package provides an upgrade of the avionics suite that includes installation of the Kopyo pulse- MiG-21-93 prototype
doppler radar used by the MiG-29, which enables the aircraft to fire a greater range of modern weapons such as
20
the beyond-visual-range Vympel R-77 air-to-air missile. The upgraded avionics also enhance the aircraft's
survivability as well as its ability to engage enemy fighters. Other upgrade features include installation of a
5/
dual-screen HUD, helmet-mounted target designator, and advanced flight control systems.
Operators
/2
08
Romanian Air Force MiG-21
LanceR
A Bulgarian MiG-21 taxis at Romanian Air Force MiG-21 Two seater MiG-21UM, Polish
of
Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria LanceR Air Force, markings of 3rd
Current operators of the MiG-21 in bright red and former operators in
during a bilateral exercise Tactical Sqn.
dark red
between the U.S. and Bulgarian
as
air forces.
See also: Chengdu J-7
Current operators
Angola y
op
25 MiG-21 in service.
Armenia
Croatian Air Force MiG-21
Azerbaijan
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UMD
Bangladesh
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Chengdu J-7
Bulgaria
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From 1963 to 1990 Bulgaria received: 226 MiG-21s. 36 remain in service.[10]
Cambodia
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4 MiG-21s all grounded.

ch
Croatia
12- 24 MiG-21bisD/UMD in service.

Ar
Cuba
From 1962 to 1983 Cuba received 270 MiG-21 of the following versions: MiG-21F-13, MiG-21PF, MiG-21PFM,
MiG-21PFMA, MiG-21U, MiG-21UM, MiG-21MF, MiG-21R and MiG-21bis. 160 remain in service as follows: 90
08
MiG-21bis, 60 MiG-21MF and 10 MiG-21UM.[11]
Egypt
20
Guinea
India
5/
428 MiG-21Bis and MiG-21MF in service with the Indian Air Force are to be replaced
Iran
/2
24 Chengdu F-7 in service; 36 MiG-21 in reserve.
Laos
08
MiG-21 grounded.
Libya
25 MiG-21 in service, purchased from the Soviet Union
Madagascar
of
MiG-21 grounded.
Mali
as
some 16
Mongolia
8 MiG-21, all grounded.
Mozambique
Pakistan y
op
234 Chengdu J-7
Nigeria
32 MiG-21 grounded, to be retired.

C
North Korea

d
Romania
ve
48 MiG-21 currently in service with the Romanian Air Force, to be phased out in 2011, when new fighter aircraft,
[13]
such as the Eurofighter or the Gripen, are purchased.
Serbia
i
[14][15]
ch
23 (MiG-21 Bis), 6 (MiG-21 UM) but only 4 fly regularly.
Sudan
10 Chengdu J-7 in service.

Ar
Syria
176 MiG-21 in Service.

Turkmenistan
08
Vietnam
20
Yemen
Former operators
5/
Afghanistan
166 total examples, including 70 MiG-21MF, 40 MiG-21F-13, and almost 50 MiG-21bis, were acquired by the
/2
Afghan Air Force. The F-13 examples were delivered in 1965, while the remainder were delivered from 1980 on.
[16]
None remain operational.
08
Bangladesh
Received 1 squadron of MiG-21 in 1973. All now retired, instead use Chengdu J-7.MiG-21's in the Bangladesh
Air Force
of
Algeria
Belarus
Burkina Faso
as
Republic of the Congo
Most are no longer in service
Czechoslovakia
y
All aircraft passed on to Czech Republic and Slovakia. Many versions: F-13 (Soviet and Czechoslovak build), PF,
op
PFM, R, MA, MF and two-seat U, US and UM. Never uses Bis version.
Czech Republic
Last MF was upgraded to MFN NATO standard. No longer in service, CZAF have Saab Gripens.
C
East Germany
Handed over to the Luftwaffe upon reunification.
Finland
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Fighters: MiG-21bis Fishbed-N (26; 1977-1998), MiG-21F-13 Fishbed-C (22; 1963-1986), Trainers: MiG-21UM
ve
Mongol-B (2; 1974-1998), MiG-21US Mongol-B (2; 1981-1997), MiG-21UTI Mongol-A (2; 1965-1997)
Guinea-Bissau
i
Hungary
ch
Over 300 examples from 1962 to 2001 (MiG-21MFs grounded in 1996)
Indonesia
Acquired its MiG-21s in 1961 and used during the preparation of Operation TRIKORA in 1962 in Western New
Ar
Guinea (now Papua and Papua Barat). The aircraft were largely grounded in 1969 and removed from service in 1970.

Iraq
08
Iraqi Air Force. Probably all either destroyed or scrapped, 35 flown over to Iran in 1991.
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
20
North Yemen
MiG-21 passed on to Yemen.
5/
Poland
Polish Air Force. 581 MiG-21 in many versions (F-13, PF, PFM, M, R, MF, bis, U, US, and UM) bought in the
/2
years 1961-1980, after 2003 no longer in service.
Russia
Slovakia
08
Tajikistan
Soviet Union
Soviet Air Force and Soviet Anti-Air Defence. MiG-21 passed on to successor states.
of
Uganda
Ukraine
Yugoslavia
as
264 MiG-21 aircraft in 9 versions (F-13, PF, PFM, M, MF, R, bis, US, UM) passed on to successor state:
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Yugoslavia
y
Air Force of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro had three squadrons with MiG-21, but
op
only one Squadron has survived the Kosovo War. That squadron has been passed on to successor state: Serbia.
Zambia
C
Civil operators
Some aircraft are now owned and flown by private collectors as warbirds. There are even importers in the U.S.
that purchase Mig 21s, Mig 15s and Mig 17s from Russia and other states and sell them to civilians for around $20000.
d
Specifications (Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis )

ve
General characteristics
i
● Crew: One
ch
● Length: 15.76 m including probe (51 ft 8 in)
● Wingspan: 7.15 m (23 ft 5 in)
Height: 4.12 m (13 ft 6 in)

Ar
● Wing area: 23 m² (247.5 ft²)

● Empty weight: 5,350 kg (11,800 lb)
08
● Loaded weight: 8,726 kg (19,200 lb)
● Max takeoff weight: 9,660 kg (21,300 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Tumansky R-25-300 afterburning turbojet, 70 kN (97 kN with extreme afterburner) (15,700 lbf)
20
●
Performance
● Maximum speed: 2230 km/h (1385 mph) (Mach 2.1)
5/
● Range: 1160 km ()
● Service ceiling 19,000 m (62,300 ft)
/2
● Rate of climb: 225 m/s (23,600 ft/min but with 50 per cent fuel and two AA-2 "Atoll" missiles, the MiG-21 can
reach 58,000 feet [17,600 meters] in one minute, under favorable weather circumstances)
08
● Wing loading: 379 kg/m² (77.8 lb/ft²)
● Thrust/weight: 0.84
Armament
of
● One centerline twin-barrelled GSh-23 23 mm cannon (PFM, MF, SMT, and bis variants) or one single-
barrelled NR-30 cannon (F-13 variant).
Up to 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons on two or four underwing hardpoints, depending
as
●
on the variant. Early machines carried two Vympel K-13 (AA-2 'Atoll') air-to-air missiles under the wing pylons.
Late models carried two K-13 and two fuel tanks under the wing pylons or combinations of four K-13 infrared-
and radar-guided missiles. The Molniya R-60 (NATO reporting name AA-8 'Aphid') was also used on multiple
y
pylons and six of them could be carried. Most aircraft carried a single 450 L (119 US gal) fuel tank on the
op
centerline pylon.
See also
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● 2002 Jalandhar India MiG-21 crash
● Munir Redfa
● Flight airspeed record

d
● Doru Davidovici, Romanian Air Force pilot and writer, in whose narrative MiG-21 is seen as an actual character.
ve
Related development
● Chengdu J-7
i
Comparable aircraft
ch
● English Electric Lightning
● Dassault Mirage III

Ar
● Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
● McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

● Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger II
08
Related lists
● List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union and the CIS
20
● List of fighter aircraft
References
5/
1. ^ MIG-21 Fishbed from Russian Military Analysis
2. ^ MiG-21 FISHBED from Global Security.org
/2
3. ^ Now called Nizhny Novgorod.
4. ^ Engines of the MiG-21
5. ^ without/with afterburner
08
6. ^ AirEnthusiast, Volume 100 (July/August 2002)
7. ^ The 1971 Liberation War: Supersonic Air Combat (Bharat-Rakshak.com)
8. ^ Atlantique Incident has complete details with sources.
of
9. ^ 'MiG -21' safest flying machines-Chandigarh-Cities-The Times of India
a b
10. ^ Avijacija bez granica web site dedicated to JNA and
successor air forces, containing detailed info on each documented air loss (Serbian)
as
11. ^ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE3DA173DF93BA25753C1A961948260
12. ^ Airforce Technology.com article
13. ^ Romania replaces the MiG-21, Antena 3, 16th May 2007 (Romanian)
14. ^ Serbia Air Force Aircraft Types
15. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_Air_Force#Current_status
y
op
16. ^ "Historical Listings", World Air Forces .
Bibliography
C
● Gordon, Yefim. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15:
The Soviet Union's Long-
Lived Korean War Fighter . Hinckley: Midland, 2001. ISBN 1-

d
85780-105-9.
● Gordon, Yefim. Mikoyan MiG-21 (Famous Russian aircraft). Hinckley: Midland, 2007.
ve
ISBN 1857802578.
● Toperczer, István. MiG-21 Units of the
Vietnam War (Osprey combat aircraft, 29). Oxford: Osprey Pub, 2001. ISBN 1841762636.
i
ch
External links
● MiG-21.de Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Ar
● MIG-21 Fishbed from Russian Military Analysis Mikoyan-
Gurevich MiG-
● MiG-21 FISHBED from Global Security.org

21
MiG-21 Fishbed from Global Aircraft
08
●
● Cuban MiG-21
● Cuban MiG-21 in Angola
20
● Aviation forum to which members have contributed photographs of MiG-21s
● Warbird Alley: MiG-21 page - Information about privately-owned MiG-21s
● African flown MiGs, including the MiG-21
5/
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(diff) ← Previous revision | Current revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

● 2 Technical description First flight 14 June 1956

● 3 Operational history Introduced 1959

3.2 Middle East

❍ 5.1 Current operators Ye-152

❍ 5.2 Former operators Chengdu J-7

❍ 5.3 Civil operators

● 6 Specifications (Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-

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new American air superiority types.

similar Sukhoi fighters also under development. Jane's All

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the World's Aircraft

the Su-9 'Fishpot'.

● 5278(or 5765) in Gorky

wheel base is 4.71m, the track width is 2.69m.

Engine Thrust (kN)

R-11F2S-300 38.2/60.6 PF, PFS, PFM, R, S, M, US, UM

R-13-300 39.9/63.7 M (refitted), MF, RF, SM, SMT, UM (refitted)

R-25-300 40.2/69.9 97,1kN with "extreme afterburner" bis

People's Air Force captured by

the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December, 1979.

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without having fired a single bullet[8].

Delta wing research prototype. Mikoyan Ye-150, a MiG-21

MiG-21 MiG-21, Deutsches Museum,

The first series of fighters. Munich

MiG-21F (NATO: "Fishbed-B")

Swept-wing research prototype.

Single-seat version, built for breaking the world speed record.

Built to break the world altitude record.

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Designation used for MiG-21PFs used to establish women's speed records.

Interceptor prototype, essentially an enlarged MiG-21.

MiG-21I (NATO "Analog")

Version built for East Germany.

MiG-21P (NATO "Fishbed-D / Fishbed-E")

MiG-21PF (SPS) (NATO "Fishbed-E")

MiG-21PFM (NATO "Fishbed-F")

MiG-21PFS (NATO "Fishbed-F")

MiG-21 (NATO "Fishbed-G")

MiG-21R (NATO "Fishbed-H")

Single-seat tactical reconnaissance version of the MiG-21PFM.

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MiG-21RF (NATO "Fishbed-J")

Single-seat tactical reconnaissance version of the MiG-21MF.

Single-seat interceptor fighter version, powered by a Tumansky R-13-300 turbojet engine.

Yugoslav Air Force.

MiG-21SMT (NATO "Fishbed-K")

MiG-21SMT of the former

Soviet Air Force.

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MiG-21 bis (NATO "Fishbed-N")

MiG-21U (NATO "Mongol-A")

Two-seat training version. Type 68 Indian Air Force designation.

MiG-21UM (NATO "Mongol-B")

Export designation of the JJ-7.

advertise has claimed that this version is equivalent to early F-16.

M-2032 Air combat radar.[9] MiG-21 LanceR 'C' taking off

MiG-21MFN from the RoAF 71st Air Base

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the Indian Air Force until 2015.