Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF Aircraft Data
Photo ID 200794 by Lukas Kinneswenger. East Germany Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF,
Single-engine, light, multi-role, fighter-bomber.

The Soviet Mig-21 'Fishbed' is an iconoclastic stalwart of Cold War military aviation. To this day, the Mig-21 and its numerous variants remain the most widely-produced fighter in history. The 'MF' is a third generation Mig-21, and widely used by the USSR and client states.

The biggest difference between the Mig-21MF and it's predecessor, the Mig-21M, was the fitting of a R-13-300 turbojet and a RP-22 RADAR. The Mig-21M is an export version of the Mig-21SM. The MF's engine and RADAR come from the Mig-21SM. The Mig-21MF was built in Gorky from 1971 to 1974.

Many of the Mig-21MF's in service have been superseded by the later Mig-21bis, or other Mig variants. The Czech Republic gave up their MF's for the Saab Jas-39C 'Gripens' in 2004. Many air arms in developing countries still rely on the Mig-21 for their air support tasks.
  • Country of Origin: USSR
  • First Flight: 2/14/55
  • Initial Service Date: 1959
  • No. Built: 1,200
  • No. In Service: 900 (approx.)
  • No. of Hardpoints: 5
  • Crew: 1

Power:

One Tumansky R-13-300 afterburning turbojet at 63.64 kN

Weapons:

1 x internal GSh-23L 23mm. cannon with 200 rds.
4 x R-3S/R (AA-2 'Atoll') AAM's
2 x UB-32-57, or UB-16-57 unguided rocket pods.
4 x 250/500kg. unguided bombs
4 x R-60/M (AA-8 'Aphid') AAM's

Dimensions:

Length: 12.28 m.
Wing Span: 7.15 m.
Wing Area: 23 m²
Height: 4.12 m.
Empty Weight: 5,350 kg.
Max. Weight: 9,400 kg.
Max. Ordnance Load: 1,300 kg.
Internal Fuel: 2,650 kg.

Performance:

Max. Speed: 2,230 kph
Service Ceiling: 18,200 m.
Normal Range: 1,050 km
Max. Range: 1,800 km

Operators:

[Current MF operators]: Cuba (FAR, 60), Egypt (Air Force, 110), Ethiopia (Air Force, 48), Guinea (FAG, 8), India (IAF, 158), Libya (LARAF, 50), Mali (Air Force, 2), North Korea (KPAAF, 150?), Romania (FAR, 70), Sudan (SAF, 18), Syria (SAF, 135), Uganda (Air Force, 18), Vietnam (VPAAF, 60), Yemen (YAF, 21).

Random great photos of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF:

Photo ID 10634 by Jiri Sofilkanic. Czech Republic Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 5512
Photo ID 193684 by rinze de vries. East Germany Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 784
Photo ID 175748 by Marinus Dirk Tabak. Poland Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 6804
Photo ID 76774 by Péter Szentirmai. Hungary Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 4405
Photo ID 127222 by Peter Boschert. Poland Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 9112
Photo ID 253487 by Matthias Becker. Czech Republic Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 7711
More photos »