Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
MiG-21
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1959–1986
Quantity
11,496
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
11
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
95
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the air superiority fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1955
- Service Entry Year1959
- Crew1
- Primary RoleFighter and interceptor
- Generation2nd
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine TypeTurbojet
- Engine ModelTumansky R-11
- Number of Engines1
- Thrust (dry, each)49.4
- Thrust (afterburner, each)70.6
- Thrust-to-Weight1.15
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel1,400 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed2,230 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)2.05 Mach
- Cruise Speed900 km/h
- Stall Speed250 km/h
- Service Ceiling18,000 m
- Ferry Range1,470 km
- Combat Radius370 km
- Rate of Climb130 m/s
- G-Limit8.5
- Takeoff Run800 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length15.76 m
- Wingspan7.15 m
- Height4.1 m
- Wing Area23
- Empty Weight5,350 kg
- Loaded Weight7,200 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight7,200 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints4
- Weapons Payload1,500 kg
- Internal Gun1x 30mm NR-30
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Nuclear CapableYes
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarRP-21 Sapfir
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteYes
- Helmet-Mounted SightYes
- Tactical DatalinkNo
- Targeting PodNo
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built11,496
- Operators60
- Variants30
▲Service History3MOD.3
- Production Start1959
- Production End1986
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1899First deployment: Six-Day War
- 1959Production started
- 1986Production ended
67
years in service
27
years in production
11,496
units produced
9
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 46 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
MIG-21 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN20% win
Total Conflicts
5
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
2019–2020Western Libya campaign—→1989–1992Afghan Civil War—→1977–1978Ogaden War—→1955–1975Vietnam WarDecisive victory→1899Six-Day War—→
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
06 / Operators
Operator Countries55country
07 / MASS Score
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS RANKING Air Superiority Fighters · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
84AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS11EARLY COLD WAR · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS741RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS4PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAir Superiority Fighterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
A helmet-mounted display system that allows pilots to aim weapons by looking at targets, tracking head movements to direct sensors or weapons.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources