MiG-21MF
Mikoyan-Gurevich · Soviet Union · first flew 1969 · fighter
The MiG-21MF (Fishbed-J) is the definitive export fighter variant of the third-generation MiG-21, combining the full Sapfir-21 radar with the more powerful R-13-300 engine and four-pylon wing, and the most widely produced and exported MiG-21 mark.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.76 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- MiG-21 tailed delta with large dorsal spine and four underwing pylons
- R-13-300 turbojet giving wider aft exhaust than earlier variants
- RP-22 Sapfir-21 radar giving a slightly different nose profile to the MiG-21M
Very similar to the MiG-21M but with a slightly larger exhaust nozzle from the R-13-300 engine. The large dorsal spine and four-pylon wing are the most visible marks of the third-generation MiG-21 family. An integral GSh-23L cannon distinguishes the MF from the M's GP-9 gondola.
Specifications
- The MiG-21MF has a length of 15.76 m (52 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.15 m (23 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2175 km/h (1351 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The MiG-21MF bridged the gap between the VVS-only MiG-21S/SM and the simplified export MiG-21M by giving export customers the RP-22 radar and the R-13-300 engine. It became the standard MiG-21 for Warsaw Pact air forces and a wide range of export customers. Production took place in the Soviet Union and under licence in Czechoslovakia and India. The MF served in virtually every conflict where MiG-21s were used from the late 1960s onward.
Variants
The MiG-21MF was licence-built in Czechoslovakia (where Aero Vodochody produced aircraft for Czechoslovak and other Warsaw Pact customers) and in India by HAL. The MiG-21MF is essentially the same standard as the Soviet MiG-21SM.
Where you'll see it
Operators include the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, India, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Finland, Vietnam, Cuba, and many others. The MiG-21MF saw combat in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the Vietnam War, and numerous subsequent conflicts. Finland's Fishbed-Js were among the last European NATO-adjacent operators.
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