MiG21

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, known by its NATO designation Fishbed, is a family of single-engine, supersonic jet fighters developed for the Soviet Air Forces. Designed as a lightweight interceptor with simple production in mind, it entered service in 1959 after its first flight in 1956. With more than 11,000 built and extensive export to Warsaw Pact and other operators, the MiG-21 became one of the most produced fighter aircraft in history.

Design and development focus on keeping production cost low while delivering stable performance. The MiG-21 features a compact fuselage and a cropped delta wing. It is powered by a single Klimov RD-9 family turbojet engine. Over its lengthy production run, numerous variants were developed, ranging from early interceptor models to later versions with improved engines, avionics, radar, and armament capabilities. Early models tended to have basic avionics, while later ones integrated more capable radar and navigation systems for air-to-air and ground-attack roles.

Armament and role have evolved across variants. The aircraft is typically equipped with a single internal cannon and can carry air-to-air missiles on underwing pylons, such as the R-3S (NATO AA-2 Atoll). Depending on the variant, it may also carry external fuel tanks, bombs, or rockets. Performance varies by version, but the MiG-21 generally achieves speeds around Mach 2, with a service ceiling near 15–16 kilometers and a combat radius that depends on load and tanks.

Operational history includes extensive use in conflicts from the Vietnam War to Middle East and African engagements. It served widely with Soviet-aligned air forces and was sold to many other operators. Although largely retired from front-line service in major air forces, it remained in service in various countries into the 2010s and, in limited roles, into the 2020s. The MiG-21 is noted for its affordability, simple construction, and longevity in service.