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MiG-21
Photo: Dalibor Bosits · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
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MiG-21

Air Superiority Fighters · Russia · 1959
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MiG-21

MiG-21
MiG-21 Photo: Dalibor Bosits · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Air-to-Air Lethality
75
Agility
80
Speed
70
Radar & Avionics
50
Range
40
Stealth
0
Survivability
60
Reliability
85
Technology
65
Cost-Effectiveness
90
Origin Russia
ManufacturerTbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing
CategoryAir Superiority Fighters
EraEarly Cold War
In service1959–1986
Operators55 countries
Quantity11,496
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
60
Air Superiority Fighters MASS Rating
11/89
Early Cold War
84/832
All-Time
Air Superiority Fighters · 10 axes scored
Air-to-Air Lethality
75
Agility
80
Speed
70
Radar & Avionics
50
Range
40
Stealth
0
Survivability
60
Reliability
85
Technology
65
Cost-Effectiveness
90
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
MiG-21
Country
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)
—
60
air superiority fighters category
ⓘ 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
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built11,496
  • Operators60
  • Variants30
▲Service History3MOD.3
  • Production Start1959
  • Production End1986
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1899First deployment: Six-Day War
  2. 1959Production started
  3. 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
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
MiG-21 1959
// DERIVATIVES
Ye-2 1954
Ye-5 1956
MiG-21F 1959
06 / Operators
📖 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
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Air Superiority Fighters entry →