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Air ForcesRussia

MiG-21bis (Fishbed-L)

Fighter aircraftFielded 1972Pending verification
Air ForcesRUS
MiG-21bis (Fishbed-L)
Photo: clipperarctic · CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeFighter aircraft
Date of introduction1972
ProliferationAt least 10 countries
ManufacturerRussiaMed[1]
Crew1Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length14.7 m48 ftMed[1]
Wingspan7.15 m23 ftMed[1]
Height4.1 m13 ftMed[1]
Wing area23 m2Med[1]
Flight performance
Engine1 x Tumansky R-25-300 TurbojetMed[1]
Range660 km410 mi · 356 nmi660 km (410 mi, 360 nmi) clean at 11,000 m (36,089 ft) 604 km (375 mi; 326 nmi) at 11,000 m (36,089 ft) with two R-3S missiles 793 km (493 mMed[1]
Speed2,237 km/h1,390 mph · 1,208 ktMed[1]
Cruise speed1,000 km/hMed[1]
Service ceiling17,500 m57,415 ftMed[1]
Landing run with sps and brake parachute550 mMed[1]
Protection
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Chaff / flaresBVP-1F 120 x 26-mm cartridge dispenserMed[1]
Armament and payload
Hardpoints4 with a capacity of up to 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) of storesMed[1]
Wing Mounted Weapon Systems: air-to-air missilesAA-12 Adder AA-11 Archer AA-10 Alamo AA-8 Aphid AA-2 AtollMed[1]
Wing Mounted Weapon Systems: air-to-surface missilesunguided bombs, rockets AS-17 Krypton AS-12 Kegler AS-9 Kyle KAB-500KrMed[1]
Armament1 × internal 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23L autocannon; R-77 (AA-12 Adder); KH-31 (AS-17 Krypton); KAB-500KrMed[1]
Fire control
RadioRSIU-5VMed[1]
IFFSRZO-2M Khrom-Nikel'Med[1]
ADFARK-10Med[1]
Radar Warning ReceiverSPO-10Med[1]
Gun SightASP-PFD-MMed[1]
RadarRP-22MMed[1]
ATC TransponderSOD-57M Globus-2Med[1]
Command LinkARL-S Lazur'-MMed[1]
Variants
NoteMiG-21 Fishbed-A/Ye-50 MiG-21 Fishbed-B/Ye-6 MiG-21F Fishbed-C MiG-21PF Fishbed-D MiG-21PF Fishbed-E MiG-21FL Fishbed-E MiG-21PFM Fishbed-F MiG-21 Fishbed-G MiG-21R Fishbed-H MiG-21PFMA Fishbed-J MiG-21MF Fishbed-J MiG-21M Fishbed-J MiG-21SMB Fishbed-K…[1]
Weapons and payload options · 4Confidence · Source
1 × internal 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23L autocannon23mm Autocannon
Med[1]
Quantity
200
Type
23mm Autocannon
Caliber
23mm
Rate of fire
3,400–3,600 rounds/min
R-77 (AA-12 Adder)Medium-range, active radar homing air-to-air missile.
Med[1]
Range
80–100 km50–62 mi · 43–54 nmi
Type
Medium-range, active radar homing air-to-air missile.
Guidance
Inertial with mid-course update and terminal active radar homing/infrared homing (R-77T)
Warhead
22.5 kg HE fragmenting (R-77)
Speed
Mach 4,Mach 5 for K-77PD (RVV-AE-PD)[
Length
3.6 m (R-77), 3.71 m (R-77-1)
KH-31 (AS-17 Krypton)Medium-range air-to-surface
Med[1]
Range
-31 km-19 mi · -17 nmi
Type
Medium-range air-to-surface
Guidance
Kh-31A: inertial guidance with active radar homing Kh-31P: inertial with passive radar
Warhead
HE shaped charge
Warhead weight
Kh-31A :94 kg (207 lb) Kh-31P :87 kg (192 lb
Speed
Kh-31A/P: 2,160–2,520 km/h (1,340–1,570 mph) MA-31: Mach 2.7 (low), Mach 3.5 (hi
KAB-500KrElectro-optical TV-guided fire and forget bomb
Med[1]
Range
15–17 km9–11 mi · 8–9 nmi
Type
Electro-optical TV-guided fire and forget bomb
Warhead
Hardened, armor-piercing warhead
Warhead weight
380 kg
Length
3.05 m
Summary

MiG-21bis Fishbed-L This is a third-generation MiG-21 with the airframe redesigned for simpler construction, longer fatigue life, greater fuel capacity. The Jay Bird radar is believed to be compatible with the AA-8 Aphid** AAM. It may also be fitted with R-25 engine.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
RussiaAngolaCroatiaLibyaMozambiqueNorth KoreaSerbiaSyriaUgandaVietnam
Sources
  1. MiG-21bis (Fishbed-L) Russian Fighter Aircraft, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY-SA 2.0)