Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

Overview

Type: Supersonic Jet Fighter and Interceptor Aircraft
Designers: Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Nicknames: "Fishbed" (NATO), "Balalaika", "Owek", "Silver Swallow"
In Service: Still operational in several countries
Primary Users: Historically Soviet Air Forces, currently Indian Air Force among others
Number Built: 11,496 (10,645 in USSR, 840 in India, 194 in Czechoslovakia)

Historical Context

First Flight: 16 June 1955 (Prototype Ye-4)
Introduction: 1959
Manufactured: 1959-1986
Variants: Notably the Chengdu J-7

Design and Development

Evolution from earlier Soviet jets (MiG-15, MiG-17, MiG-19)
Intended as a lightweight fighter achieving Mach 2
Known for its delta wings aiding quick climb
Issues with range due to fuel tank placement impacting stability

Operational Use

Used by 60 countries over four continents
Notable for being the most-produced supersonic jet and combat aircraft post Korean War

Performance and Specifications

Max Speed: Mach 2.05 at 13,000 m
Range: Limited by fuel capacity, approximately 660 km clean
Thrust-to-weight ratio: 0.76
Armament: 23 mm autocannon, air-to-air missiles (K-13, R-55, R-60)

Historical Engagements

Vietnam War

Used extensively by North Vietnamese forces
Engaged in air combat with US F-4 Phantoms and other aircraft
Tactics included fast, hit-and-run attacks under ground-control guidance

Indo-Pakistani Wars

Played significant roles in 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars
Indian Air Force used them effectively against Pakistani aircraft

Middle Eastern Conflicts

Used by Egyptian, Syrian, and Iraqi forces
Engaged Israeli Mirages, Phantoms, and later, F-15s and F-16s

Other Conflicts

Participated in various smaller conflicts including in Africa and during the Iran-Iraq war

Legacy and Modern Usage

Despite being technologically outdated, it remains in service in some countries due to low maintenance costs
Some nations have begun upgrading their fleet with modern avionics and armaments
India plans to phase out the MiG-21 by 2025, replacing them with Tejas fighters

Conclusion

The MiG-21 remains a significant aircraft in aviation history due to its widespread use, longevity, and impact on various global conflicts. Despite its limitations, it has been a vital component in several air forces and continues to serve in different capacities around the world.