| MiG-21 | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Croatian Air Force MiG-21bis D soaring above the clouds. | |
| Role | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Mikoyan-Gurevich OKB |
| Designed by | Artem Mikoyan |
| First flight | 14 February 1955 (Ye-2) |
| Introduced | 1959 (MiG-21F) |
| Retired | 1990s (Russia) |
| Status | Active (see list) |
| Primary users | Soviet Air Force Indian Air Force Romanian Air Force Vietnam People's Air Force |
| Produced | 1959 (MiG-21F) to 1985 (MiG-21bis) |
| Number built | 11,496 (10,645 produced in the USSR, 194 in Czechoslovakia, 657 in India) |
| Variants | Chengdu J-7 |
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-21) (NATO reporting name "Fishbed") nicknamed Trishul(Trident) in Indian Service is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed and built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek (English: pencil) by Polish pilots due to the shape of its fuselage. Early versions are considered second-generation jet fighters, while later versions are considered to be third-generation jet fighters. Some 50 countries over four continents have flown the MiG-21, and it still serves many nations a half-century after its maiden flight. The fighter made aviation records. At least by name, it is the most-produced supersonic jet aircraft in aviation history and the most-produced combat aircraft since the Korean War, and it had the longest production run of a combat aircraft (1959 to 1985 over all variants).
Contents |
Development
The MiG-21 jet fighter was a continuation of Soviet jet fighters, starting with the subsonic MiG-15 and MiG-17, and the 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.
Development of what would become the MiG-21 began in the early 1950s, when Mikoyan OKB finished a preliminary design study for a prototype designated Ye-1 in 1954. This project was very quickly reworked when it was determined that the planned engine was underpowered; the redesign led to the second prototype, the Ye-2. Both these and other early prototypes featured swept wings—the first prototype with delta wings as found on production variants was the Ye-4. The Ye-4 made its maiden flight on 16 June 1955 and made its first public appearance during the Soviet Aviation Day display at Moscow's Tushino Airport in July 1956. The MiG-21 was the first successful Soviet aircraft combining fighter and interceptor 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 F-5 Freedom Fighter and the French Dassault Mirage III.
Like many aircraft designed as interceptors, the MiG-21 had a short range. This was not helped by a design defect where the center of gravity shifted rearwards once two-thirds of the fuel had been used. This had the effect of making the plane uncontrollable, resulting in an endurance of only 45 minutes in clean condition. The issue of the short endurance and low fuel capacity of the MiG-21F, PF, PFM, S/SM and M/MF variants—though each had a somewhat greater fuel capacity than its predecessor—led to the development of the MT and SMT variants. These had a range increase of 250 km (155 mi.) compared to the MiG-21SM, but at the cost of worsening all other performance figures (such as a lower service ceiling and slower time to altitude).
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 a climb rate of 235 m/s (46,250 ft/min) was possible with a combat-loaded MiG-21bis, 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 the MiG-29 would the Soviet Union ultimately replace the MiG-21 as a maneuvering dogfighter to counter new American air superiority types.
The MiG-21 was exported widely and continues to be used. The aircraft's simple controls, engine, weapons, and avionics were typical of Soviet-era military designs. The use of a tail with the delta wing aids stability and control at the extremes of the flight envelope, enhancing safety for lower-skilled pilots; this in turn enhanced its marketability in exports to developing countries with limited training programs and restricted pilot pools. 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. Several Russian, Israeli and Romanian firms have begun to offer upgrade packages to MiG-21 operators, designed to bring the aircraft up to a modern standard, with greatly upgraded avionics and armaments.
Due to the lack of available information, early details of the MiG-21 were often confused with those of the similar Sukhoi fighters also under development. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1960-1961 describes the "Fishbed" as a Sukhoi design, and uses an illustration of the Su-9 'Fishpot'.
Production
A total of 10,645 units were built in the USSR. They were produced in three factories, in the GAZ 30 in Moscow (also known as Znamya Truda), in GAZ 21 in Gorky and in GAZ 31 in Tbilisi. The type of "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 exceptions. The MiG-21R and MiG-21bis for export and for the USSR were built in Gorky, 17 single-seaters were built in Tbilisi (MiG-21 and MiG-21F), the MiG-21MF was first built in Moscow and then Gorky, and the MiG-21U was built in Moscow as well as in Tbilisi. The count for each factory is:
- 5,765 in Gorky
- 83 MiG-21F; 513 MiG-21F-13; 525 MiG-21PF; 233 MiG-21PFL; 944 MiG-21PFS/PFM; 448 MiG-21R; 145 MiG-21S/SN; 349 MiG-21SM; 281 MiG-21SMT; 2013 MiG-21bis; 231 MiG-21MF
- 3,203 in Moscow
- MiG-21U (all export units); MiG-21PF (all export units); MiG-21FL (all units not built by HAL); MiG-21M (all); 15 MiG-21MT (all)
- 1,678 in Tbilisi
- 17 MiG-21 and MiG-21F; 181 MiG-21U izdeliye 66-400 and 66-600 (1962–1966); 347 MiG-21US (1966–1970); 1133 MiG-21UM (1971 to end)
A total of 194 MiG-21F-13s were built under licence in Czechoslovakia, and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. of India built 657 MiG-21FL, MiG-21M and MiG-21bis (of which 225 were bis)
Technical description
The MiG-21 is a single-engined jet fighter aircraft capable of supersonic flight.
- 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 of incidence is 0° while the dihedral angle is -2°. On the trailing edge there are ailerons with an area of 1.18 m², and flaps with an area of 1.87 m². In front of the ailerons there are small wing fences.
- Fuselage
A semi-monocoque with an elliptical profile with a maximum width of 1.24 m. The air flow to the engine is 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 M=1.9 it is in the maximum forward position. However, on the MiG-21PF it adapts to the actual speed, according 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, every version of the -21 has this tube situated on the top of the air intake.
The cabin is pressurized and 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 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.
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 |
 hinge of the canopy |
On the belly of the plane there are three air brakes, two at the front and 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 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.
 central air brake |
 lateral air brake |
- Empennage
The empennage of the MiG-21 consists of a vertical stabilizer, a stabilator and a small fin on the bottom of the tail 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 2.6 m.
- 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 mm). The wheels of the main landing gear retract in the fuselage after rotating 87°, the shock absorbers retract in the wing. The nose gear retracts forward in the fuselage under the radar. The wheel base is 4.71 m, the track width is 2.69 m.
 forward gear |
 rear gear |
- Engines
The MiG-21 engine was produced in several variants.
| Model | Engine | Thrust – kN (dry/reheat) | Thrust – lbf (dry/reheat) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ye-2 | Mikulin AM-9B | 25.5/31.9 | 5730/7165 |
| Ye-2A/MiG-23 (izd. 63) | Tumanskiy RD-11 | 37.3/50.0 | 8380/11240 |
| Ye-50 | Tumanskiy RD-9E + Dushkin S-155 | 25.5/32.4 + 37.3 | 5730/7275 + 8380 |
| Ye-50A/MiG-23U (izd. 64) | Tumanskiy R-11E-300 + Dushkin S-155 | 37.3/50.0 + 37.3 | 8380/11240 + 8380 |
| Ye-4 | Tumanskiy RD-9E | 25.5/32.4 | 5730/7275 |
| MiG-21 (izd. 65) | Tumanskiy R-11-300 | ?/49.0 | ?/11020 |
| Ye-6 | Tumanskiy R-11F-300 | 38.3/56.4 | 8600/12680 |
| MiG-21F (izd. 72) | Tumanskiy R-11F-300 | 38.3/56.4 | 8600/12680 |
| MiG-21F-13 (izd. 74) | Tumanskiy R-11F-300 | 38.3/56.4 | 8600/12680 |
| Ye-6T ("Ye-66") | Tumanskiy R-11F2-300 | 36.8/60.7 | 8258/13633 |
| Ye-6T ("Ye-66A") | Tumanskiy R-11F2-300 + Sevruk S3-20M5A | 36.8/60.7 + ? | 8258/13633 + ? |
| Ye-6V | Tumanskiy R-11F2S-300 | 38.8/60.6 | 8710/13610 |
| Ye-7 1-2/MiG-21P | Tumanskiy R-11F-300 | 38.3/56.4 | 8600/12680 |
| Ye-7 3-4 | Tumanskiy R-11F2-300 | 38.8/60.0 | 8710/13490 |
| MiG-21PF (izd. 76, 76A) | Tumanskiy R-11F2-300 | 38.8/60.0 | 8710/13490 |
| MiG-21FL (izd. 77) | Tumanskiy R-11F-300 | 38.3/56.4 | 8600/12680 |
| Ye-7SPS, MiG-21PFS (izd. 94) | Tumanskiy R-11F2S-300 | 38.8/60.6 | 8710/13610 |
| MiG-21PFM (izd. 94, 94A) | Tumanskiy R-11F2S-300 | 38.8/60.6 | 8710/13610 |
| Ye-7R | Tumanskiy R-11F2S-300 | 38.8/60.6 | 8710/13610 |
| MiG-21R (izd. 03, 94R, 94RA) | Tumanskiy R-11F2S-300 | 38.8/60.6 | 8710/13610 |
| MiG-21R (94R late) | Tumanskiy R-13-300 | 39.9/63.7 | 8970/14320 |
| Ye-7S | Tumanskiy R-11F2-300 | 38.8/60.0 | 8710/13490 |
| MiG-21S/SN (izd. 95/95N) | Tumanskiy R-11F2S-300 | 38.8/60.6 | 8710/13610 |
| MiG-21M (izd. 96) | Tumanskiy R-11F2SK-300 | 38.8/60.6 | 8710/13610 |
| MiG-21SM (izd. 95M/15) | Tumanskiy R-13-300 | 39.9/63.7 | 8970/14310 |
| MiG-21MF (izd. 96F) | Tumanskiy R-13-300 | 39.9/63.7 | 8970/14310 |
| MiG-21MT/SMT/ST (izd. 96T/50/50) | Tumanskiy R-13F-300 | 39.9/63.7 | 8970/14320 |
| MiG-21bis (izd. 75/75A/75B) | Tumanskiy R-25-300 | 40.2/69.6 (97.1*) | 9040/15650 (21825*) |
* = limited (3-minute) "extra-power" reheat at altitudes 4000m (13,120 ft) or less.
- Armaments
The following table shows the possible ordnance loads of various models of the MiG-21. In the pylons column, the number listed is per individual pylon.
| Model | Internal Cannon | Center Pylon | Inboard Pylons (per hardpoint) | Outboard Pylons (per hardpoint) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ye-2 | 3x NR-30 w 60 rpg | 1x UB-16-57 16-tube rocket pod | n/a | |
| Ye-2A/MiG-23 | 3x NR-30 w 60 rpg | 1x PTB-490 490L drop tank 1x UB-16-57 1x FAB-250 GP bomb |
n/a | |
| Ye-50A/MiG-23U | 2x NR-30 w 60 rpg | n/a | 1x ORO-57K 8-tube rocket pod | |
| Ye-4 | 3x NR-30 w 60 rpg | 1x FAB-250/500 GP bomb 1x UB-16-57 1x PTB-400 400L drop tank |
||
| MiG-21 | 3x N-30 w 60 rpg | 1x FAB-250 GP bomb 2x ORO-57K on special adapter 2x TRS-190 HVAR on twin launcher 1x ARS-212 unguided rocket 1x PTB-400 |
||
| MiG-21F | 1st 30: 1x NR-30 + 2x NR-23 Rest: 2x NR-30 w 60 rpg |
1x PTB-400 | 1x S-21 Ovod-M HVAR 1x S-24 HVAR 1x OFAB-100-120 HE-Frag bomb 1x FAB-100/250/500 1x ZB-360 napalm tank |
|
| MiG-21F-13 | 1x NR-30 w 30 rds | 1x PTB-490 | 1x K-13/R-3S AAM 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 HVAR 1x FAB-100/250/500 1x ZB-360 |
|
| MiG-21PF/PFS | n/a | 1x PTB-490 | 1x K-13/R-3S 1x RS-2-US AAM 1x UB-16-57U 1x FAB-100/250 |
|
| MiG-21FL | n/a | 1x PTB-490 | 1x K-13/R-3S 1x UB-16-57U 1x FAB-100/250 |
|
| MiG-21PFM | n/a | 1x PTB-490 1x GP-9 cannon pod w GSh-23-2 w 200 rds |
1x K-13/R-3S 1x RS-2-US 1x UB-16-57U 1x FAB-100/250 1x Kh-66 ASM |
|
| MiG-21R | n/a | 1x PTB-490/PTB-800 800L drop tank Type D daylight PHOTINT pod Type N nighttime PHOTINT pod Type R ELINT pod Type T TV pod SPRD-99 JATO booster |
1x R-3S 1x RS-2-US 1x UB-16-57UM 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x ZB-500 napalm tank 1x Kh-66 |
1x PTB-490 1x UB-16-57UM 1x FAB-100/250/OFAB-100 1x S-24 |
| MiG-21S | n/a | 1x PTB-490/PTB-800 1x GP-9 cannon pod 1x SPRD-99 |
1x R-3R/R-3S 1x RS-2-US 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57UM 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x ZB-500 |
1x PTB-490 1x R-3R/R-3S 1x UB-16-57UM 1x OFAB-100/FAB-100/250 1x S-24 |
| MiG-21SN | 1x PTB-490/PTB-800 1x GP-9 cannon pod 1x SPRD-99 1x RN-25 tactical nuclear bomb |
1x R-3R/R-3S 1x RS-2-US 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57UM 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x ZB-500 |
1x PTB-490 1x R-3R/R-3S 1x UB-16-57UM 1x OFAB-100/FAB-100/250 1x S-24 |
|
| MiG-21M | 1x GSh-23-2L w 200 rds | 1x PTB-490/PTB-800 1x SPRD-99 |
1x R-3S 1x RS-2-US 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 |
1x R-3S 1x RS-2-US 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x PTB-490 |
| MiG-21SM | 1x GSh-23-2L w 200 rds | 1x PTB-490/PTB-800 1x SPRD-99 |
1x R-3S/R-3R 1x UB-16-57/UB-32 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x ZB-360 1x Kh-66 1x S-24 |
1x R-3S/R-3R 1x UB-16-57/UB-32 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x ZB-360 1x Kh-66 1x S-24 1x PTB-490 |
| MiG-21MF/MT | 1x GSh-23-2L w 200 rds | 1x PTB-490/PTB-800 1x SPRD-99 |
1x R-3S 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 |
1x R-3S 2x R-60 AAM on twin rail 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x PTB-490 |
| MiG-21SMT/ST | 1x GSh-23-2L w 200 rds | 1x PTB-490/PTB-800 1x SPRD-99 |
1x R-3S/R-3R 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 |
1x R-3S/R-3R 2x R-60 AAM on twin rail 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x PTB-490 |
| MiG-21bis | 1x GSh-23-2L w 200 rds | 1x PTB-490/PTB-800 1x SPRD-99 |
1x R-3S/R-3R/R-13M 1x R-55 AAM 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 |
1x R-3S/R-3R/R-13M 1x R-55 2x R-60/R-60M on twin rail 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x PTB-490 |
| MiG-21bis-D/LanceR | 1x GSh-23-2L w 200 rds | 1x PTB-490/PTB-800 1x SPRD-99 1x Litening laser designator 1x recce pod |
1x R-3S 1x Python 3 AAM 1x AIM-9 AAM 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x Mk82/Mk84 LGB |
1x R-3S 1x Python 3 AAM 1x AIM-9 AAM 2x R-60 AAM on twin rail 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x PTB-490 |
| MiG-21-93 | 1x GSh-23-2L w 200 rds | 1x PTB-490/PTB-800 1x SPRD-99 |
1x R-3S/R-3R/R-13M 1x R-27R1 AAM 1x R-55 AAM 1x R-73 AAM 1x R-77 AAM 1x Kh-25MP ASM 1x Kh-31A/Kh-31P ASM 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x KAB-500Kr LGB |
1x R-3S/R-3R/R-13M 1x R-27R1 1x R-55 1x R-73 1x R-77 2x R-60/R-60M on twin rail 1x Kh-25MP 1x Kh-31A/Kh-31P 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x KAB-500Kr LGB 1x PTB-490 |
| MiG-21 Bison | 1x GSh-23-2L w 200 rds | 1x PTB-490/PTB-800 1x SPRD-99 |
1x R-3S/R-3R/R-13M 1x R-27R1/R-27T1 AAM 1x R-55 AAM 1x R-73E AAM 1x R-77 AAM 1x Kh-25MP 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x KAB-500Kr LGB |
1x R-3S/R-3R/R-13M 1x R-27R1 1x R-55 1x R-73E 1x R-77 2x R-60/R-60M on twin rail 1x Kh-25MP 1x Kh-66 1x UB-16-57U 1x S-24 1x FAB-100/250/500/OFAB-100 1x KAB-500Kr LGB 1x PTB-490 |
Operational history
India
In 1961, the Indian Air Force (IAF) opted to purchase the MiG-21 over several other Western competitors because the Soviet Union offered India full transfer of technology and rights for local assembly. In 1964, the MiG-21 became the first supersonic fighter jet to enter service with the IAF. Due limited induction numbers and lack of pilot training, the IAF MiG-21 played limited role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. However, the IAF gained valuable experience while operating the MiG-21 for defensive sorties during the war. The positive feedback from IAF pilots during the 1965 war prompted India to place more orders for the fighter jet and also invested heavily in building the MiG-21's maintenance infrastructure and pilot training programs. By 1969, India had acquired more than 120 MiG-21s from the Soviet Union.
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The expansion of IAF MiG-21 fleet symbolized growing India-Soviet Union military partnership which enabled India to field a formidable air force to counter Chinese and Pakistani threats. The capabilities of the MiG-21 and the skills of its Indian pilots were soon put to test during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. During the war, the MiG-21s played a crucial role in giving the IAF complete air superiority over vital points and areas in the Western theater of the conflict.
The 1971 war witnessed the first supersonic air combat in the subcontinent when an Indian MiG-21FLs shot down a PAF F-104 Starfighter with its GSh-23 twin barrelled 23mm cannon. By the time the hostilities came to an end, the IAF MiG-21s had shot down four PAF F-104s, two PAF F.6, one PAF F-86 and one PAF C-130 Hercules. According to Western military analysts, the MiG-21s had clearly "won" the much anticipated air combat between the MiG-21 and the F-104 Starfighter.
Because of the formidable performance of the MiG-21s, several nations, including Iraq, approached India for MiG-21 pilot training. By early 1970s, more than 120 Iraqi pilots were being trained by the Indian Air Force.
Kargil War and Atlantique Incident
It was also used as late as 1999 in the Kargil War in which one Indian Air Force MiG-21 was shot down by a Pakistani hand-held "Stinger" Surface to air missile. The MiG-21's last known kill took place in 1999 during the Atlantique Incident when two MiG-21 aircraft of the Indian Air Force Intercepted and shot down a Breguet Atlantique reconnaissance aircraft of the Pakistani Navy with R-60MK (AA-8 Aphid).
| Date | Aircraft Scoring Kill | Pilot | Victim |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 September 1965 | IAF MiG-21F-13 | ? | PAF F-86E |
| 4 December 1971 | IAF MiG-21FL "C1111" | FltLt Manbir Singh | PAF Sabre F.6 |
| 6 December 1971 | IAF MiG-21FL | FltLt Samar Bikram Shah | PAF F-6 |
| 6 December 1971 | IAF MiG-21FL | ? | PAF CC-130 |
| 11 December 1971 | IAF MiG-21FL | ? | IAF MiG-21FL "C1107" |
| 12 December 1971 | IAF MiG-21FL "C750" | FltLt Bharat Bhushan Soni | PAF F-104A |
| 12 December 1971 | IAF MiG-21FL | FltLt Niraj Kukreja | PAF F-104A |
| 12 December 1971 | IAF MiG-21FL | SqnLdr Iqbal Singh Bindra | PAF F-104A |
| 14 December 1971 | PAF F-6 | A. A. Shafieff | IAF MiG-21FL |
| 16 December 1971 | IAF MiG-21FL | FltLt Samar Bikram Shah | PAF F-6 |
| 17 December 1971 | PAF F-86F | FltLt Maqsood Amir | IAF MiG-21FL "C716" |
| 17 December 1971 | IAF MiG-21FL | A. K. Datta | PAF F-104A |
| 17 December 1971 | IAF MiG-21FL | Samar Bikram Shah | PAF F-104A (damaged) |
| 1997 | IAF MiG-21bis | ? | PAF |
| 10 August 1999 | IAF MiG-21bis (45 Sqn) | SqnLdr Prashant Kumar Bundela | PAF Br.1150 Atlantic |
Variants
(All information in this section adapted from "MiG-21" by Yefim Gordon & Keith Dexter, ISBN 978 1 85780 257 3.')
- Generation Zero (1954–1956)
- The original developmental prototypes and concepts, to the first (pre)production aircraft. (Major variants: Ye-1, Ye-2, Ye-2A/MiG-23, Ye-4, Ye-50, Ye-50A/MiG-23U, Ye-5, MiG-21).
- Generation One (1957–1961)
- Initial mass-produced versions and further refinements and experiments. (Major variants: Ye-6, Ye-50P, MiG-21F, Ye-6T, MiG-21P-13, MiG-21F-13, Ye-6V).
- Generation Two (1961–1966)
- Further developments led to more advanced versions as dedicated interceptors which underwent near-constant refinements; a dedicated reconnaissance version (with interceptor capability) and a nuclear-strike variant were also developed. (Major variants: MiG-21PF/FL, Ye-7SPS, MiG-21PFS, Ye-7M, MiG-21PFM, Ye-7R, MiG-21R, Ye-7S, MiG-21S, MiG-21N, MiG-21PD).
- Generation Three (1968–1972)
- Development of the MiG-21 kept constantly moving with the times, from the MiG-21M to the ultimate variant, the MiG-21bis produced into the 1980s. (Major variants: MiG-21M, MiG-21I, MiG-21K, MiG-21Sh, MiG-21SM, MiG-21MF, MiG-21DF, MiG-21SMF, MiG-21MT, MiG-21SMT, MiG-21ST, MiG-21bis).
- Trainer Variants (1960–1968+)
- Trainer variants of the MiG-21 started being developed in 1960, and continued until the final design in 1968, which was manufactured for many years afterwards. (Major variants: Ye-6U, MiG-21U, MiG-21US, MiG-21UM).
| Model | Radio | IFF | ADF* | RWR | Gunsight | Radar ** | ATC Transponder | GCI Cmd Link | Radionav System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MiG-21 (izd. 65) | RSIU-4V Klyon | SRO-2 Khrom | ARK-5 Amur | SPO-2 Sirena-2 | ASP-5N-V3 | SRD-1M Konus* | SOD-57 Globus | Gorizont-1V | - |
| MiG-21F (izd. 72) | R-800 | SRO-2 Khrom | ARK-54N | SPO-2 Sirena-2 | ASP-5NV-UI | SRD-5MN Baza-6* | SOD-57 Globus | Gorizont-1V? | - |
| MiG-21F-13 (izd. 74) | R-802 | SRO-2 Khrom | ARK-10 | SPO-2 Sirena-2 | ASP-5ND | SRD-5ND Kvant* | SOD-57M Globus-2 | Gorizont-1V? | - |
| MiG-21PF (izd. 76) | RSIU-5V | SRZO-2 Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-54I | SPO-2 Sirena-2 | PKI | RP-9-21 (batch 1–6); RP-21 (7 on) | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ARL-S Lazur' | - |
| MiG-21PF (izd. 76A) | RSIU-5 | SRO-2 Khrom | ARK-10* | SPO-2 Sirena-2 | PKI | RP-9-21 | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ARL-S Lazur' | - |
| MiG-21FL (izd. 77) | RSIU-5G | SRO-1 | ARK-10* | SPO-2 Sirena-2 | PKI | R1L | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ? | - |
| MiG-21PFM (izd. 94) | RSIU-5V | SRZO-2M Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-10 | SPO-2 Sirena-2 | PKI | RP-21M | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ARL-S Lazur' | Iskra |
| MiG-21PFM (izd. 94A) | RSIU-5 | SRZO-2 Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-10* | SPO-2 Sirena-2 | PKI | RP-21MA | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ARL-S Lazur' | Iskra |
| MiG-21R (izd. 03/94R) | RSIU-5V | SRZO-2M Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-10 | SPO-3 Sirena-3 | PKI | RP-21M | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ARL-S Lazur' | Iskra |
| MiG-21R (izd. 94RA) | RSIU-5 | SRZO-2 Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-10 | SPO-3 Sirena-3 | PKI | RP-21MA | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ARL-S Lazur' | Iskra |
| MiG-21S/SN (izd. 95/95N) | RSIU-5V | SRZO-2M Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-10 | SPO-10 | ASP-PF-21 | RP-22 (Sapfir-22) | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ARL-S Lazur'-M | ? |
| MiG-21M (izd. 96) | RSIU-5 | SRZO-2 Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-10 | SPO-3 Sirena-3M | ASP-PFD | RP-21MA | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ARL-S Lazur' | ? |
| MiG-21SM (izd. 95M/15) | RSIU-5V | SRZO-2M Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-10 | SPO-10 | ASP-PFD | RP-22 | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ARL-S Lazur'-M | ? |
| MiG-21bis (PVO; izd. 75) | RSIU-5V | SRZO-2M Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-10 | SPO-10 | ASP-PFD-M | RP-22M | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ARL-S Lazur'-M | none? |
| MiG-21bis (VVS; izd. 75) | RSIU-5V | SRZO-2M Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-10 | SPO-10 | ASP-PFD-M | RP-22M | SOD-57M Globus-2 | none | RSBN-4N |
| MiG-21bis (izd. 75A) | RSIU-5 | SRZO-2 Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-10 | SPO-3 Sirena-3M | ASP-PFD | RP-21M | SOD-57M Globus-2 | ARL-S Lazur'-M | none? |
| MiG-21bis (izd. 75B) | RSIU-5 | SRZO-2 Khrom-Nikel' | ARK-10 | SPO-3 Sirena-3M" | ASP-PFD | RP-21M | SOD-57M Globus-2 | none | RSBN-2N |
Notes to table: * ADF = Automatic direction finder; an asterisk by the name means there is no DME module present. ** = An asterisk by the name indicates a rangefinding-only unit.
Upgrade Programs
- MiG-21-93
- 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-doppler radar, smaller version of N010 Zhuk airborne radar used by the MiG-29, which enables the aircraft to fire a greater range of modern weapons such as 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 dual-screen HUD, helmet-mounted target designator, and advanced flight control systems.
- MiG-21-2000
- Single-seat 21st century version for export buyers. Made by Israel Aerospace Industries
- MiG-21 LanceR
-
MiG-21 LanceR 'C' taking off from the RoAF 71st Air Base
- Upgraded version for the Romanian Air Force done by Elbit of Israel and Aerostar SA of Romania. The LanceR-A version is optimized for ground attack being able to deliver precision guided munitions of eastern and western origin as well as R-60, R-73 and Python III air to air missiles. The LanceR-B version is the trainer version and 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.
- MiG-21 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 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. It performed well against F-15 and F-16s of the USAF during Indo-US joint air exercises.
- MiG-21-97
- 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.
Foreign-built variants
- China (PRC)
Chinese-built variants of the MiG-21 are designated Chengdu J-7 and F-7 (for export). Only the initial version of the J-7 was a copy of a MiG-21 variant, namely the MiG-21F-13. Though an agreement had been reached between China and the USSR for licence production of the MiG-21 in China, political relations soured between the two countries, causing Soviet assistance to stop. This forced the Chinese to reverse-engineer parts of the handful of MiG-21F-13s supplied from the USSR, in order to make up for blueprints and documentation that had not yet been shipped over from the USSR at the time of the political rift. All subsequent development of the J-7 was indigenous to China and different from Soviet-made versions.
- 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 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 the original Soviet MiGs. These machines were built for the Czechoslovak Air Force and also for export. The R13-300 engines were imported from the Soviet Union.
- India
The production of the MiG-21s in India under license by Hindustan Aeronautics in Nasik started with the MiG-21FL in 1966 in four phases starting with the assembly of CKD kits, moving on to subassemblies, parts, and finally advancing to production from scratch. 205 MiG-21FLs, designated Type 77 and nicknamed Trishul ("Trident), were built in India between 1966 and 1972; the first one built entirely from Indian-made components was delivered to the IAF on 19 October 1970, with the first Indian-made R11F2S-300 powerplant leaving the assembly line on 2 January 1969. In 1971 HAL production was switched to an improved version of the MiG-21M (izdeliye 96), which was designated Type 88 by HAL; as this variant was produced exclusively in India, no izdeliye designation is applicable. The first Type 88 MiG-21M was delivered to the IAF on 14 February 1973 and the last on 12 November 1981, with a total of 158 built. The last variant to be produced by HAL was the MiG-21bis. 75 were built in 1977 from CKD kits, and a further 220 were built from scratch by 1984. Despite a series of crashes during the 1990s, the Indian Air Force has decided to upgrade about 125 of the MiG-21bis in its inventory to the MiG-21 "Bison" standard. These will serve the Indian Air Force until 2025.
Operators
Current operators
This list does not include operators of Chinese copies / licensed manufactured versions known as the Chengdu J-7.
Azerbaijan 
Bulgaria 
Cambodia 
Croatia 
Cuba 
Egypt 
Ethiopia 
Georgia 
Guinea 
India 
Libya 
Mali 
Namibia 
North Korea 
Romania 
Serbia 
Sudan 
Syria 
Uganda 
Vietnam 
Yemen 
Zambia
Former operators
Afghanistan 
Algeria 
Angola 
Bangladesh 
Belarus
Burkina Faso 
Chad 
China 
Congo, Republic of the 
Czechoslovakia (Passed on to Czech Republic and Slovak Republic.)
Czech Republic 
East Germany (Passed on to Germany on reunification.)
Eritrea 
Finland 
Germany 
Guinea-Bissau 
Hungary 
Indonesia 
Iran
Iraq 
Israel 
Kyrgyzstan 
Laos 
Madagascar 
Mongolia 
Mozambique 
Nigeria 
Poland 
Russia 
Slovakia 
Somalia 
Soviet Union 
Tanzania 
Turkmenistan- USSR (Passed on to successor states.)
USA 
Ukraine 
North Yemen 
South Yemen 
Yugoslavia (Passed on to FR Yugoslavia)
Yugoslavia (Passed on to Serbia)
Zimbabwe
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 $45,000.
Specifications (Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F-13)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 15.76 (with pitot) m (51 ft 8.47 in)
- Wingspan: 7.154 m (23 ft 5.66 in)
- Height: 4.1 m (13 ft 5.41 in)
- Wing area: 23.0 m² (247.3 ft²)
- Empty weight: 4,871 kg (10,738 lb)
- Gross weight: 7,100 kg (15,650 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Tumanskiy R11F-300, 37.27 kN (8,380 lbf) thrust dry, 56.27 kN (12,650 lbf) with afterburner each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 2,230 km/h (1,385 mph)
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.05
- Range: 1,580 km (981 miles)
- Service ceiling: 19,000 m (62,335 ft)
Armament
- 1x internal 30 mm NR-30 cannon, plus
- 2x K-13 or K-13A (R-3S) AAM or
- 2x 500 kg (1,102 lbs) of bombs
Specifications (Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PFM)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 14.5 (with pitot) m (47 ft 6.86 in)
- Wingspan: 7.154 m (23 ft 5.66 in)
- Height: 4.125 m (13 ft 6.41 in)
- Wing area: 23.0 m² (247.3 ft²)
- Gross weight: 7,800 kg (17,195 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Tumanskiy R11F2S-300, 38.74 kN (8,710 lbf) thrust dry, 60.54 kN (13,610 lbf) with afterburner each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 2,230 km/h (1,385 mph)
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.05
- Range: 1,670 km (1,037 miles)
- Service ceiling: 19,000 m (62,335 ft)
Armament
- 1x GP-9 cannon pod with 23 mm GSh-23 cannon, plus
- 2x K-13A (R-3S) AAM or
- 2x 500 kg (1,102 lbs) of bombs
Specifications (Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 15.0 (with pitot) m (49 ft 2.5 in)
- Wingspan: 7.154 m (23 ft 5.66 in)
- Height: 4.125 m (13 ft 6.41 in)
- Wing area: 23.0 m² (247.3 ft²)
- Empty weight: 5,339 kg (11,770 lb)
- Gross weight: 8,725 kg (19,235 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Tumanskiy R25-300, 40.21 kN (9,040 lbf) thrust dry, 69.62 kN (15,650 lbf) with afterburner each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 2,350 km/h (1,468 mph)
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.2
- Range: (internal fuel) 1,210 km (751 miles)
- Service ceiling: 17,800 m (58,400 ft)
- Rate of climb: 225 m/s ( ft/min)
Armament
- 1x internal 23 mm GSh-23 cannon, plus
- 2x K-13A (R-3R) or 4x Molniya R-60 AAM or
- 2x 500 kg (1,102 lbs) of bombs
Specifications (Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21-93)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 14.5 (with pitot) m (47 ft 6.86 in)
- Wingspan: 7.154 m (23 ft 5.66 in)
- Height: 4.125 m (13 ft 6.41 in)
- Wing area: 23.0 m² (247.3 ft²)
- Gross weight: 8,825 kg (19,425 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Tumanskiy R25-300, 40.21 kN (9,040 lbf) thrust dry, 69.62 kN (15,650 lbf) with afterburner each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 2,350 km/h (1,468 mph)
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.2
- Range: (internal fuel) 1,210 km (751 miles)
- Service ceiling: 17,800 m (58,400 ft)
- Rate of climb: 225 m/s ( ft/min)
Armament
- 1x internal 23 mm GSh-23 cannon, plus
- 2x R-27R1 or R-27T or 4x Vympel R-77 or 4x R-60M or R-73E AAM or
- 2x 500 kg (1,102 lbs) of bombs
See also
Related development
- Sukhoi Su-9
- Chengdu J-7
- Guizhou JL-9
Comparable aircraft
- English Electric Lightning
- Dassault Mirage III
- SAAB J-35 Draken
- Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
- McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
- Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger II
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