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
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1959–1986
Quantity
11,496
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · EARLY COLD WAR
32
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
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 RoleAir superiority / interceptor
- GenerationSecond‑generation jet fighter
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine TypeTumansky R-25-300
- Engine ModelRD‑9A / R‑11F‑300 series
- Number of Engines1
- Thrust (dry, each)33.9
- Thrust (afterburner, each)54.1
- Thrust-to-Weight0.9
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel2,160 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed2,175 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)2.05 Mach
- Cruise Speed900 km/h
- Stall Speed260 km/h
- Service Ceiling17,500 m
- Ferry Range660 km
- Combat Radius350 km
- Rate of Climb210 m/s
- G-Limit9.5
- Takeoff Run500 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length14.7 m
- Wingspan7.154 m
- Height4.94 m
- Wing Area23.5
- Empty Weight5,300 kg
- Loaded Weight8,725 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight8,800 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints3
- Weapons Payload2,000 kg
- Internal Gun1 × internal 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23L autocannon with 200 rounds
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Nuclear CapableYes
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarRP‑21 (later variants RP‑9‑21)
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteNo
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkNo
- Targeting PodNo
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built11,496
- Operators60
- Variants30
▲Service History3MOD.3
- Production Start1959
- Production End1986
- Operational StatusIn service with several air forces
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1959Production started
- 1960Entered service
- 1986Production ended
67
years in service
27
years in production
11,496
units produced
53
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries54country
05 / MASS Score
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS RANKING Air Superiority Fighters · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
180AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS32EARLY COLD WAR · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS1234RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS101PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAir Superiority Fighterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
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.
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