View source for Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

{{short description|1956 Soviet fighter aircraft family}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = MiG-21
| image = File:Croatian MiG-21 (cropped).jpg
| image_caption = A Croatian MiG-21bis-D in flight
| aircraft_type = [[Fighter aircraft|Fighter]] and [[interceptor aircraft]]
| national_origin = [[Soviet Union]]
| manufacturer = 
| design_group = [[Mikoyan|Mikoyan-Gurevich]]
| first_flight = 16 June 1955 (Ye-4){{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
| introduction = 1959 (MiG-21F)
| status = In service
| primary_user = [[Soviet Air Forces]] (historical)<!-- List only one user; for military aircraft, this is a nation or a service arm. Please DON'T add flag templates, as they limit horizontal space. -->
| more_users = [[Indian Air Force]] (historical)<!-- Limited to THREE (3) "more users" here (13 total users).  List users with {{plainlist}} or {{unbulleted list}}. -->
| produced = 1959–1986
| number_built = 11,496<ref name="Gordon 2008">Gordon, Yefim. ''MiG-21'' (Russian Fighters). Earl Shilton, Leicester, UK: Midland Publishing Ltd., 2008. {{ISBN|978-1-85780-257-3}}.</ref> <br />(10,645 produced in the USSR, 840 in [[India]], 194 in [[Czechoslovakia]])
| developed_from = 
| variants = [[Chengdu J-7]]
}}

The '''Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21''' ({{langx|ru|Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-21}}; [[NATO reporting name]]: '''Fishbed''') is a [[supersonic]] [[jet aircraft|jet]] [[fighter aircraft|fighter]] and [[interceptor aircraft]], designed by the [[Mikoyan|Mikoyan-Gurevich]] [[OKB|Design Bureau]] in the [[Soviet Union]]. Its nicknames include: "''Balalaika''", because its [[planform (aeronautics)|planform]] resembles the [[balalaika|stringed musical instrument of the same name]]; "''Ołówek''", [[Polish language|Polish]] for "pencil", due to the shape of its [[fuselage]],<ref>[http://lotniczapolska.pl/MiG-21-%E2%80%93-naddzwiekowy-olowek-,231 "MiG-21 – naddźwiękowy ołówek" (in Polish).] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606022813/http://lotniczapolska.pl/MiG-21-%E2%80%93-naddzwiekowy-olowek-,231 |date=6 June 2011 }} ''lotniczapolska.pl,'' 6 September 2007. Retrieved: 1 December 2010.</ref> and "''Én Bạc''", meaning "silver [[swallow]]", in [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]].

Approximately 60 countries across four continents have flown the MiG-21, and it still serves many nations seven decades after its maiden flight. It set aviation records, becoming [[List of most-produced aircraft|the most-produced supersonic jet aircraft in aviation history]], the most-produced combat aircraft since the [[Korean War]] and, previously, the longest production run of any combat aircraft.

==Development==

===Origins===
The MiG-21 jet fighter was a continuation of Soviet jet fighters, starting with the subsonic [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15]] and [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17|MiG-17]], and the supersonic [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19|MiG-19]]. A number of experimental [[Mach number|Mach]] 2 Soviet designs were based on nose intakes with either [[Swept wing|swept-back wings]], such as the [[Sukhoi Su-7]], or tailed [[delta wing|deltas]], of which the MiG-21 would be the most successful.

Development of what would become the MiG-21 began in the early 1950s when [[Mikoyan]] OKB finished a preliminary design study for a [[prototype]] designated Ye-1 in 1954. This project was very quickly reworked when it was determined that the planned engine was underpowered; the redesign led to the second prototype, the Ye-2. Both these and other early prototypes featured swept wings. The first prototype with the [[delta wings]] found on production variants was the Ye-4. It made its maiden flight on 16 June 1955 and its first public appearance during the [[Soviet Aviation Day|Soviet Aviation Day display]] at Moscow's [[Tushino airfield]] in July 1956.

In the West, due to the lack of available information, early details of the MiG-21 often were confused with those of similar Soviet fighters of the era. In one instance, ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1960–1961'' listed the "Fishbed" as a [[Sukhoi Design Bureau|Sukhoi design]] and used an illustration of the [[Sukhoi Su-9|Su-9 'Fishpot']].

===Design===
[[File:MiG-21 on display on top of Verkkokauppa in Helsinki.jpg|thumb|Retired Finnish MiG-21bis on top of Verkkokauppa store in Helsinki (Tyynenmerenkatu 11).]]
[[File:MiG-21 BIS on display in Helsinki.jpg|thumb|MiG-21bis rear.]]
[[File:Close up of the landing gear bay (MiG-21 BIS).jpg|thumb|Close-up of the landing gear bay.]]
[[File:MiG-21M Preschen (22951457305).jpg|thumb|MiG-21М of the National People's Army of the GDR, August 1990]]

The MiG-21 was the first successful Soviet aircraft combining [[fighter aircraft|fighter]] and [[interceptor aircraft|interceptor]] characteristics in a single aircraft. It was a lightweight fighter, achieving Mach 2 with a relatively low-powered [[afterburner (engine)|afterburning]] [[turbojet]], and is thus comparable to the American [[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter]] and [[Northrop F-5|Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter]] and the French [[Dassault Mirage III]].<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> Its basic layout was used for numerous other Soviet designs; delta-winged aircraft included the [[Sukhoi Su-9|Su-9]] interceptor and fast [[Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-150 family|Ye-150]] prototype from the MiG bureau, while the successful mass-produced frontline fighter [[Sukhoi Su-7|Su-7]] and Mikoyan's [[Mikoyan-Gurevich I-75|I-75]] experimental interceptor combined a similar fuselage shape with swept-back wings. However, the characteristic layout with the [[inlet cone|shock cone]] and front air intake did not see widespread use outside the USSR and ultimately proved to have limited development potential, mainly due to the small available space for the radar.

Like many aircraft designed as interceptors, the MiG-21 had a short range. This was exacerbated by the poor placement of the internal fuel tanks ahead of the centre of gravity. As the internal fuel was consumed, the center of gravity would shift rearward beyond acceptable parameters. This had the effect of making the plane [[Longitudinal static stability|statically unstable]] to the point of being difficult to control, resulting in an endurance of only 45 minutes in clean condition. This can be somewhat countered by carrying fuel in external tanks closer to the center of gravity. The Chinese variants somewhat improved the internal fuel tank layout (as did the second generation of Soviet variants), and also carried significantly larger external fuel tanks to counter this issue.<ref>Civil Airworthiness Certification: Former Military High-Performance Aircraft, United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration.</ref> Additionally, when more than half the fuel was used up, violent maneuvers prevented fuel from flowing into the engine,<ref>{{Cite web |title=ODIN - OE Data Integration Network |url=https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/6e76cf95da7f7ee76e8f4b3d643c027e |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=odin.tradoc.army.mil}}</ref> thereby causing it to shut down in flight. This increased the risk of tank implosions (MiG-21 had tanks pressurized with air from the engine's compressor), a problem inherited from the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15]], [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17|MiG-17]] and [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19|MiG-19]].<ref name="J F Dunnigan">Dunnigan, James F. ''How to Make War, A Comprehensive Guide to Modern Warfare in the 21st Century, Fourth Edition.'' Harper Collins Publishers Inc. 2003. {{ISBN|978-0060090128}}</ref> The short endurance and low fuel capacity of the MiG-21F, PF, PFM, S/SM and M/MF variants—though each had a somewhat greater fuel capacity than its predecessor—led to the development of the MT and SMT variants. These had an increased range of {{convert|250|km|0|abbr=on}} compared to the MiG-21SM, but at the cost of worsening all other performance figures, such as a lower service ceiling and slower time to altitude.<ref name="Gordon 2008" />

The delta wing, while excellent for a fast-climbing interceptor, meant any form of turning combat led to a rapid loss of speed. However, the light loading of the aircraft could mean that a [[climb rate]] of 235&nbsp;m/s (46,250&nbsp;ft/min) was possible with a combat-loaded MiG-21bis,<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> not far short of the performance of the later [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16A]]. MiG-21's [[Tumansky R-25]] jet engine's specialty was the addition of a second fuel pump in the afterburning stage. Activating the ЧР (rus. "чрезвычайный режим" - emergency mode)(Emergency Power Rating, EPR in India) booster feature allows the engine to develop 97.4 kilonewtons (21,896&nbsp;lbf) of thrust under 2,000 meters (6,600&nbsp;ft) of altitude. The rpm of the engine would increase by 2.5% and the compression ratio would thus increase, with a rise in exhaust temperature. The limit of operation is 2 minutes for both practice and actual wartime use, as further use causes the engine to overheat. The fuel consumption increased by 50% over the rate in full afterburner. Use of this temporary power gave the MiG-21bis slightly better than 1:1 thrust-to-weight ratio and a climbing rate of 254 meters/second, equalling the F-16's nominal capabilities in a close-quarters dogfight.
The use of [[War emergency power|WEP]] thrust was limited to 2 minutes to reduce stress on the engines' 750 (250+250+250) flight hours lifetime since every second of super-afterburner counted as several minutes of regular power run due to extreme thermal stress. With WEP on, the MiG-21bis's R-25 engine produced a huge 10–12 meter long blowtorch exhaust, with six or seven brightly glowing rhomboid [[Shock diamond|shock diamonds]] visible inside the exhaust. The Soviets gave the emergency power setting its "diamond regime" name, which was never popularly used in India.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=125066 |title = Afterburner/Engine simulation question - ED Forums| date=28 May 2014 }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2025}} Given a skilled pilot and capable missiles, it could give a good account of itself against contemporary fighters. Its G-limits were increased from +7Gs in initial variants to +8.5Gs in the latest variants.<ref name=MiG-21BIS>Král, Martin. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20170702092826/http://www.soviethammer.info/blog/799377-mig-21bis "MiG-21BIS."]}} ''Soviet Hammer,'' 6 April 2012. Retrieved: 28 June 2012.</ref> It was replaced by the newer variable-geometry [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|MiG-23]] and [[Mikoyan MiG-27|MiG-27]] for ground support duties. However, not until the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29|MiG-29]] would the Soviet Union ultimately replace the MiG-21 as a maneuvering dogfighter to counter new American air superiority types.

The MiG-21 was exported widely and remains in use. The aircraft's simple controls, engine, weapons, and avionics were typical of Soviet-era military designs. The use of a tail with the delta wing aids stability and control at the extremes of the [[flight envelope]], enhancing safety for lower-skilled pilots; this, in turn, enhanced its marketability in exports to developing countries with limited training programs and restricted pilot pools. While technologically inferior to the more advanced fighters it often faced, low production and maintenance costs made it a favorite of nations buying [[Eastern Bloc]] military hardware. Several Russian, Israeli and Romanian firms have begun to offer upgrade packages to MiG-21 operators, designed to bring the aircraft up to a modern standard, with greatly upgraded avionics and armaments.<ref name="Gordon 2008" />

===Production===
[[File:MiG-21F-13 Fishbed C.JPG|thumb|Czechoslovak MiG-21F-13 "Fishbed C"]]
A total of 10,645 aircraft were built in the USSR. They were produced in three factories: AZ 30{{refn|"AZ" – abbreviation for Russian "Авиационный Завод" – АЗ (Aviation Plant).|group=N}} (3,203 aircraft) in Moscow (also known as ''MMZ Znamya Truda''), GAZ 21 (5,765 aircraft) in [[Gorky (city)|Gorky]],{{refn|Now called [[Nizhny Novgorod]].|group=N}} and TAZ 31 (1,678 aircraft) in [[Tbilisi]]. Generally, Gorky built single-seaters for the Soviet forces. Moscow constructed single-seaters for export, and Tbilisi manufactured two-seaters both for export and the USSR, though there were exceptions. The MiG-21R and MiG-21bis for export and for the USSR were built in Gorky, 17 single-seaters were built in Tbilisi (MiG-21 and MiG-21F), the MiG-21MF was first constructed in Moscow and then Gorky, and the MiG-21U was built in Moscow as well as in Tbilisi.<ref name="Gordon 2008" />

{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Gorky
|83 MiG-21F; 513 MiG-21F-13; 525 MiG-21PF; 233 MiG-21PFL; 944 MiG-21PFS/PFM; 448 MiG-21R; 145 MiG-21S/SN; 349 MiG-21SM; 281 MiG-21SMT; 2013 MiG-21bis; 231 MiG-21MF
|-
!Moscow
|MiG-21U (all export units); MiG-21PF (all export units); MiG-21FL (all units not built by HAL); MiG-21M (all); 15 MiG-21MT (all)
|-
!Tbilisi
|17 MiG-21 and MiG-21F; 181 MiG-21U ''izdeliye'' 66–400 and 66–600 (1962–1966); 347 MiG-21US (1966–1970); 1133 MiG-21UM (1971 to end)
|}

A total of 194 MiG-21F-13s were built under licence in [[Czechoslovakia]], and [[Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.]] of India built 657 MiG-21FL, MiG-21M and MiG-21bis (of which 225 were bis)

===Cost===
Due to the mass production, the aircraft was very cheap: the MiG-21MF, for example, was cheaper than the [[BMP-1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fighter/j7.html|title=Chengdu J-7 (J-7I)|website=www.airwar.ru|access-date=2 February 2019}}</ref> The [[F-4 Phantom]]'s cost was several times higher than MiG-21.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

==Design==
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2024}}

[[File:MiG-21 cockpit.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Czech Air Force]] MiG-21MF cockpit upgraded for NATO standards]]

The MiG-21 has a [[delta wing]]. The [[sweep angle]] on the [[leading edge]] is 57° with a [[TsAGI]] S-12 [[airfoil]]. The [[angle of incidence (aerodynamics)|angle of incidence]] is 0° while the [[Dihedral (aircraft)|dihedral angle]] is −2°. On the [[trailing edge]] there are [[ailerons]] with an area of 1.18&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>, and [[Flap (aircraft)|flaps]] with an area of 1.87&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>. In front of the ailerons there are small [[wing fence]]s.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP80T00246A030200200001-3.pdf|title=English translation of a Soviet manual of the MIG-21, specifically the MIG-21F-13}}</ref>

The fuselage is [[semi-monocoque]] with an elliptical profile and a maximum width of {{convert|1.24|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. The air flow to the engine is regulated by an [[inlet cone]] in the air intake. On early model MiG-21s, the cone has three positions. For speeds up to Mach 1.5, the cone is fully retracted to the maximum aft position. For speeds between Mach 1.5 and Mach 1.9, the cone moves to the middle position. For speeds higher than Mach 1.9, the cone moves to the maximum forward position. On the later model MiG-21PF, the intake cone moves to a position based on the actual speed. The cone position for a given speed is calculated by the UVD-2M system using air pressures from in front and behind the [[Gas compressor|compressor]] of the engine. On both sides of the nose, there are gills to supply the engine with more air while on the ground and during [[takeoff]]. In the first variant of the MiG-21, the [[pitot tube]] is attached to the bottom of the nose. After the MiG-21P variant, this tube is attached to the top of the air intake. Later versions shifted the pitot tube attachment point 15 degrees to the right, as seen from the cockpit, and had an emergency pitot head on the right side, just ahead of the canopy and below the pilot's eyeline.

[[File:Cockpit MiG 21 F 13.jpg|thumb|left|MiG-21F-13 cockpit at the Aviation Museum in Bucharest, Romania]]
The cabin is pressurized and air-conditioned. On variants prior to the MiG-21PFM, the cabin canopy is hinged at the front. When ejecting, the SK-1 ejection seat connects with the canopy to provide a windbreak from the high-speed airflow encountered during high-speed ejections. After ejection, the canopy opens to allow the pilot to parachute to the ground. However, ejecting at low altitudes can cause the canopy to take too long to separate, sometimes resulting in pilot death. The minimum height for ejection in level flight was 110&nbsp;m. Starting with the MiG-21PFM, a new ejection seat proved to be very reliable and did not need the canopy to protect the pilot which had never been fully satisfactory. The canopy is hinged on the right side of the cockpit.

On the underside of the aircraft, there are three air brakes, two at the front and one at the rear. The front air brakes have an area of 0.76&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>,<ref name=":2" /> and a deflection angle of 35°. The rear air brake has an area of 0.47&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup><ref name=":2" /> and a deflection angle of 40°.<ref name=":2" /> The rear air brake is blocked if the airplane carries an external fuel tank. Behind the air brakes are the bays for the main [[landing gear]]. On the underside of the airplane, just behind the trailing edge of the wing are attachment points for two [[JATO]] rockets. The front section of the fuselage ends at [[former]] #28. The rear section of the fuselage starts at former #28a and is removable for engine maintenance.

The [[empennage]] of the MiG-21 consists of a [[vertical stabilizer]], a [[stabilator]] and a small fin on the bottom of the tail to improve yaw control. The vertical stabilizer has a sweep angle of 60° and an area of 5.32&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup> (on earlier version 3.8&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>) and a [[rudder]]. The stabilator has a sweep angle of 57°, an area of 3.94&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup> and a span of 2.6&nbsp;m.<ref name=":2" />

The MiG-21 uses a [[tricycle]]-type undercarriage. On most variants, the main landing gear uses tires that are 800&nbsp;mm in diameter and 200&nbsp;mm in width. Only the MiG-21F variants use tires with the size 660×200&nbsp;mm. The wheels of the main landing gear retract into the fuselage after rotating 87° and the shock absorbers retract into the wing. The nose gear retracts forward into the fuselage under the radar. The nose wheel can be lowered manually by simply unlocking its hatch from inside the cockpit. Thus, landing with undercarriage locked in the up position due to an internal failure was not a major issue, with a number of such successful landings on the nosewheel and ventral fuel tank or the airbrake.

==Operational history==
[[File:2014 Prowincja Lorri, Sanahin, Muzeum braci Mikojanów (02).jpg|thumb|A MiG-21 at the Mikoyan museum in [[Alaverdi, Armenia]]]]
===North Korea===
North Korea acquired its first MiG-21s from the Soviet Union in 1963, and possibly earlier, making it one of the very first countries to receive the aircraft. This was the last time the USSR exported its most capable frontline fighter class to its neighbour. During low level hostilities in the inter-[[Korean Demilitarized Zone|Korean Demilitarised Zone]], [[Korean People's Army Air Force|Korean People's Army Air Force]] (KPAAF) MiG-21s were credited with shooting down an American [[RF-4C]] [[Reconnaissance aircraft|reconnaissance plane]] on August 31, 1967, an [[Republic F-105 Thunderchief|F-105D]] fighter five months later on January 14, 1968 and an [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4B]] fighter the following month on February 12. On January 23, 1968 pair of MiG-21 fighters were involved in the first stages of the joint operation with the [[Korean People's Army Navy]] to capture the American [[Surveillance Ship|surveillance ship]] ''[[USS Pueblo (AGER-2)|USS Pueblo]]''.<ref name=mig> Abrams, A. B., Surviving the Unipolar Era: North Korea's 35 Year Standoff with the United States, Atlanta, Clarity Press, 2025 (p. 8). </ref> The following year, two MiG-21s [[1969 EC-121 shootdown incident|shoot down an EC-121 plane]] in international airspace, killing all 31 Americans servicemen on board.

During the [[Vietnam War]] North Korean personnel manned one MiG-21 company and two MiG-17 companies in the North Vietnamese fleet, providing a 50 percent increase to North Vietnam's fighter strength. Between 87 and 96 North Korean pilots served in the conflict, and were credited by North Vietnamese pilots with downing 26 American aircraft while taking 14 losses.<ref name=mig2> Abrams, A. B., Surviving the Unipolar Era: North Korea's 35 Year Standoff with the United States, Atlanta, Clarity Press, 2025 (p.6). </ref> 

During the [[Yom Kippur War]] North Korean veteran pilots, many with more than 2,000 hours flight experience, flew Egyptian and Syrian MiG-21 fighters and engaged Israeli forces multiple times. KPAAF pilots continued to fly Syrian MiG-21s throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s.<ref name=mig3> Abrams, A. B., Surviving the Unipolar Era: North Korea's 35 Year Standoff with the United States, Atlanta, Clarity Press, 2025 (pp. 6-7). </ref> 

North Korea made its last known MiG-21 acquisition in the 1990s, and while failing to purchase 133 airframe enhanced MiG-21bis aircraft being retired by Kazakhstan, it was able to acquire 30 of them. The MiG-21bis’ integration of the more powerful R-25 engine, use of four wing hard points instead of two, and compatibility with the R-60 air-to-air missile, made these aircraft significantly superior to its previous MiG-21s. The fighters were acquired for just $200,000 each. The MiG-21bis has continued to play an important role in the North Korean fleet, with the aircraft modernised with multi function cockpit displays and new communications equipment. MiG-21BiS pilots also began sporting new helmets and flight suits around 2015, while a range of indigenous air to ground munitions including bombs and anti tank guided missiles have been produced in the country such as the AGP-250 GNSS guided glide bomb. Integration of indigenous electronic warfare systems has also been speculated.<ref name=mig4> 'North Korea's MiG-21BiS Regiment: Acquired For Just $8 Million and Enhanced with Indigenous Tech,' ''Military Watch Magazine'', September 27, 2022 </ref>

===India===
[[File:Sheeju mig21.JPG|thumb|MiG-21 Bison of the [[Indian Air Force]]]]

In 1961, the [[Indian Air Force]] (IAF) opted to purchase the MiG-21 over several other Western competitors. As part of the deal, the Soviet Union offered India full transfer of technology and rights for local assembly.<ref>{{cite book|author=Mehrotra, Santosh|title=India and the Soviet Union: Trade and Technology Transfer|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=1990|isbn=978-0-521-36202-3}}</ref> A first batch of eight pilots trained on [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15]]s and [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17|MiG-17]]s at the [[Lugovoy, Jambyl Region|Lugovaya Air base]] to familiarise themselves with the Russian aircraft models and procedures from late October 1962 to early January 1963, before transitioning to the MiG-21s, which later formed the [[No. 28 Squadron IAF|No. 28 Squadron]] of the IAF.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Retired Air Marshal Brijesh Jayal, who flew India's first supersonic fighter jet into the country|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/meet-retired-air-marshal-brijesh-jayal-who-flew-indias-first-supersonic-fighter-jet-into-the-country/articleshow/123384337.cms?from=mdr |access-date=20 August 2025|work=[[The Economic Times]]| date=19 August 2025 }}</ref> In 1963, the MiG-21 became the first supersonic fighter aircraft to enter service with the IAF.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pubby |first=Manu |date=22 July 2024 |title=From warhorse to legend: MiG-21 to bow out after 62 years in Indian skies |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/from-warhorse-to-legend-mig-21-to-bow-out-after-62-years-in-indian-skies/articleshow/122821727.cms |access-date=2025-07-22 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

Due to limited numbers and lack of training, the IAF MiG-21s played a limited role during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. However, the IAF gained valuable experience while operating the MiG-21 for defensive sorties during the war.<ref>{{cite web|work=Bharat Rakshak|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1965War/Chapter7.html|title=The Canberra and the MiG-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608192646/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1965War/Chapter7.html |archive-date=8 June 2011 |access-date=1 December 2010}}</ref> The positive feedback from the IAF pilots prompted India to place more orders for the fighter jet and invest in building the MiG-21's maintenance infrastructure and pilot training programs. Since 1963, India inducted more than 1,200 MiG-21s into its air force.<ref>{{cite web |title=Another MiG-21 Squadron Retired: The Curtain Is Closing on IAF's Most Abiding Fighter |url=https://thewire.in/security/mig-21-squadron-retired-curtain-closing-iaf-most-abiding-fighter |access-date=16 June 2024 |work=[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]]}}</ref> At its peak, the IAF operated 400 MiG-21s across 19 squadrons.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 September 2002 |title=LCA economics |url=https://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/biz/2002/09/16/stories/2002091600190300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317030448/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/biz/2002/09/16/stories/2002091600190300.htm |archive-date=17 March 2009 |access-date=31 August 2024 |work =[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The expansion of the MiG-21 fleet helped India develop a military partnership with Soviet Union, to counter Chinese and Pakistani threats.<ref>{{cite book|author=Till, Geoffrey|title=Globalisation and Defence in the Asia-Pacific|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]]|year=2008|isbn=978-0-415-44048-6}}</ref>

==== India-Pakistan Wars ====
[[File:Mig21 pair during 1971 war.jpg|thumb|IAF MiG-21s over East Pakistan in 1971]]

During the [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1971]], the MiG-21s played a major role for the IAF in to establish [[air superiority]] over vital points and areas of conflict.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 December 2021|title=How MiG-21 tilted the 1971 war in India's favour with its 13/1 success ratio |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/how-mig-21-tilted-the-1971-war-in-indias-favour-with-its-131-success-ratio-10212001.html |access-date=21 May 2023 |work=Firstpost }}</ref> The war witnessed the first supersonic [[dog fight]] in the [[India subcontinent]] when an Indian MiG-21FL shot a [[Pakistan Air Force]] (PAF) [[Lockheed F-104 Starfighter]] with its GSh-23 twin-barrelled {{cvt|23|mm}} cannon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Soni.html|title=The 1971 Liberation War: Supersonic Air Combat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707232025/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1971War/Soni.html |archive-date=7 July 2011|work=Bharat Rakshak.com|access-date=1 December 2010}}</ref> The IAF MiG-21FLs had an upper hand in the highly anticipated air combat with the PAF F-104A Starfighters.<ref>{{cite book|author=Coggins, Ed|title=Wings That Stay on|location=Nashville|publisher=Turner Publishing Company|year=2000|isbn=978-1-56311-568-4|pages=166-168}}</ref> As per the IAF, the MiG-21s had claimed four F-104As, two [[Shenyang J-6|Shenyang F-6Cs]], one [[North American F-86 Sabre|North American F-86F Sabre]] and one [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|Lockheed C-130E Hercules]] aircraft of the PAF.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.orbat.info/cimh/iaf/IAF_1971_kills_rev1.pdf|title=IAF Combat kills - 1971 Indo-Pak air war|author=B. Harry|date=6 September 2006|access-date=1 June 2025|pages=2-3}}</ref>

During the [[Kargil war]] in 1999, the IAF MiG-21s were pressed into [[combat air patrols]] and reconnaissance duties at high altitudes in [[Kashmir]]. As a part of [[Operation Safed Sagar]], the aircraft flew multiple sorties against Pakistani positions and provided air support to [[Indian Army]] units. However, operating at high altitudes proved extremely challenging for the aircraft, limiting its effectiveness as a fighter aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Kargil/Shenag.html|title=1999 Kargil Operations|access-date=14 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205013528/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/Kargil/Shenag.html|archive-date=5 February 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Kargil and After : Challenges for Indian Policy|year=2001|isbn=978-8-124-10646-4|publisher=Har-Anand Publications|page=423}}</ref> On 27 May 1999, a MiG-21 was shot down by the PAF, and the pilot was captured and later killed.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Kargil War|author=Praveen Swami|year=2000|isbn=978-8-187-49610-6|publisher=LeftWord Books|page=12}}</ref>

==== Later years ====
On 10 August 1999, two MiG-21FLs of the IAF [[Pakistan Navy Atlantic shootdown|intercepted and shot down]] a Pakistani [[Bréguet 1150 Atlantic]] maritime patrol aircraft with an [[R-60 (missile)|R-60]] missile after it allegedly entered Indian [[airspace]] for surveillance, killing all 16 on board.<ref>{{cite web |last=Philip |first=Snehesh Alex |date=12 June 2019 |title=How IAF shot down a Pakistani naval aircraft and killed 16 a month after Kargil in 1999 |url=https://theprint.in/past-forward/how-iaf-shot-down-a-pakistani-naval-aircraft-and-killed-16-a-month-after-kargil-in-1999/248868/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |work=[[The Print]]}}</ref> In December 2013, the MiG-21FL variants were decommissioned  by the IAF.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 December 2013|title=MiG-21 FL flies into Indian Air Force history |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mig-21-fl-flies-into-indian-air-force-history-544172 |access-date=22 December 2021 |work=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> The aircraft was further involved during the [[2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]], with a PAF [[F-16]] shooting down an IAF MiG-21, whose pilot was captured and later returned to India.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Abi-Habib |first1=Maria |title=After India Loses Dogfight to Pakistan, Questions Arise About Its 'Vintage' Military |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/03/world/asia/india-military-united-states-china.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=3 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Seligman |first1=Lara |title=India's Dogfight Loss Could Be a Win for U.S. Weapons-Makers |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/03/05/indias-dogfight-loss-could-be-a-win-for-u-s-weapons-makers-lockheed-boeing-pakistan/ |work=Foreign Policy |date=27 December 2023}}</ref> 

Since 1970, more than 170 IAF pilots and 40 civilians were killed in MiG-21 accidents, thus the earning the aircraft the nickname of "flying coffin".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/mig-21-crash-despite-chequered-safety-record-why-the-flying-coffin-still-remains-in-service-14309692.htm |title=Mig-21 Crash: Despite Chequered Safety Record, Why The 'Flying Coffin' Still Remains In Service |work=CNBC |date=30 July 2022 |access-date=1 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Air Force grounds Soviet-era MiG-21 fleet amid probe after Rajasthan crash |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/indian-air-force-mig-21-fleet-rajasthan-crash-b2342898.html |work=[[The Independent]] |date=21 May 2023 |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> Over half of the 840 aircraft built between 1966 and 1984 were lost to crashes.<ref>{{citation|title=Civil Airworthiness Certification: Former Military High-Performance Aircraft|work=United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration|page=2}}</ref> When in afterburner, the engine operates very close to its [[Surge in compressors|surge line]] and the ingestion of a small object led to an engine surge/seizure and flame out.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 June 2020 |title=The Iconic MiG-21- Great Design – Most Produced Supersonic Jet – Fearsome Reputation – Unending Service |url=https://airpowerasia.com/2020/06/16/the-iconic-mig-21-great-design-most-produced-supersonic-jet-fearsome-reputation-unending-service/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |work=Air Power Asia }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://iadnews.in/mig-21-crashes-iaf-politico-bureaucratic-logjam/ |access-date=21 May 2023|work=IAD news |title=IAF politico bureaucratic logjam|date=8 August 2022 |archive-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521040921/https://iadnews.in/mig-21-crashes-iaf-politico-bureaucratic-logjam/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Poor maintenance and quality of replacement parts was considered to be a factor in the crashes.<ref>{{cite web|author=Taneja, Kabir. |url=http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/08/the-trouble-with-indian-air-forces-mig-21-fighter-jets/|title=The Trouble With India's MIG-21 Fighter Jets|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=8 August 2013|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> As a result, the IAF announced that it would replace its remaining fleet of MiG-21&nbsp;Bison aircraft with the indigenous [[HAL Tejas]] fighter aircraft in 2023.<ref >{{cite news |date=1 November 2023 |title=IAF bids farewell to MiG-21 Bison aircraft, paving the way for India's indigenous fighter jets |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/mig-21-bison-aircraft-bids-farewell-paving-the-way-for-indias-indigenous-fighter-jets/articleshow/104856108.cms?from=mdr |access-date=28 January 2024 |work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> In October 2023, the aircraft made the final public appearance at the Air Force Day flypast held at [[Prayagraj]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Gupta |first=Anchit |date=6 October 2023 |title=MiG-21's Last Public Hurrah: Finale in the Skies of Prayagraj |url=https://iafhistory.in/2023/10/06/mig-21s-last-public-hurrah-finale-in-the-skies-of-prayagraj/ |access-date=5 May 2025 |work=IAFHistory}}</ref> The aircraft were retired in August 2025 in a ceremony at the [[Bikaner Airport|Nal Air Force Station]] in [[Bikaner]], which was the last airbase operating the aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 August 2025 |title=MiG-21's last few flights at Nal AFS blend with Bollywood's 'Love and War' shoot |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mig21s-last-few-flights-at-nal-afs-blend-with-bollywood-s-love-and-war-shoot-101756121785196.html |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> An official farewell ceremony was held at [[Chandigarh Air Force Station]] on 26 September 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=26 September 2025 |title=India’s Iconic MiG-21 Blasts Off Into Retirement |url=https://www.twz.com/air/indias-iconic-mig-21-blasts-off-into-retirement |access-date=26 November 2025 |work=The War Zone}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 September 2025 |title=Air Chief Marshal A P Singh to fly MiG-21 BISON with call sign Badal 3 in final sortie |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/iaf-air-chief-marshal-a-p-singh-to-fly-mig-21-bison-call-sign-badal-10268542/ |access-date=26 November 2025 |work=[[The Indian Express]] }}</ref>

===Indonesia===
[[File:MiG-21F-13-Fishbed-C.jpg|thumb|Indonesian Air Force [[MiG-21]] in the [[Dirgantara Mandala Museum|Yogyakarta Air Force Museum]]]]
The [[Indonesian Air Force]] purchased 22 MiG-21s. In 1962, 20 MiG-21F-13s and MiG-21Us were received during [[Operation Trikora]] in the Western New Guinea conflict. Indonesian MiG-21s never fought in any dogfights. Right after the U.S.-backed anti-communist forces took over the government, 13 Indonesian MiG-21s were delivered to the U.S. in exchange for T-33, UH-34D, and later, F-5 and OV-10 aircraft. All remaining MiG-21s were grounded and retired due to a lack of spare parts and the withdrawal of Soviet maintenance support.

The MiGs were added to the [[4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron]] ("Red Eagles"), a [[USAF]] aggressor squadron at Tonopah Test Range.<ref>Davies 2012, p. 48.</ref>

===Vietnam War===
[[File:Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PF USAF.jpg|thumb|MiG-21F-13 in [[Vietnam People's Air Force]] markings exhibited at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] in [[Ohio]].]]
[[File:VPAF MiG-21 landing with chute.jpg|thumb|A missile-armed VPAF MiG-21PF landing using the parachute]]
[[File:4324 MiG21 with 15 kill stars.jpg|thumb|[[Vietnam People's Air Force]] MiG-21 number 4324, flown by various pilots, was credited with 14 kills during the [[Vietnam War]].]]
The MiG-21 was designed for very short [[ground-controlled interception]] (GCI) missions. It became renowned for this type of mission in the skies over [[North Vietnam]].<ref>Michel 1997, p. 81.</ref> The first MiG-21s arrived directly from the Soviet Union by ship in April 1966. After being unloaded and assembled<ref>Toperczer 2001, pp. 6, 77.</ref> they were given to the [[Vietnam People's Air Force]]'s (VPAF) oldest fighter unit, the 921st Fighter Regiment (921st FR), which had been created on 3 February 1964 as a MiG-17 unit. Because the VPAF's 923rd FR was newer and less experienced, they continued to operate MiG-17s, while the arrival of the MiG-19s ([[Shenyang J-6|J-6]] versions) from China in 1969 led to North Vietnam's only MiG-19 unit, the 925th FR. On 3 February 1972, North Vietnam commissioned its fourth and last fighter regiment created during the war with South Vietnam, the MiG-21PFM (Type 94)-equipped 927th FR.<ref>Toperczer 2001, p. 27.</ref>

Former MiG-17 pilot [[Nguyễn Nhật Chiêu|Nguyen Nhat Chieu]] and his [[wingman]] Tran Ngoc Siu intercepted [[United States Air Force|USAF]] [[Republic F-105 Thunderchief|F-105Ds]] while on [[Combat Air Patrol|CAP]] duty over [[Phúc Yên Air Base|Phuc Yen Airbase]] (a.k.a. Noi Bai Airbase) on 7 July 1966, shooting down one piloted by Capt. Tomes with a salvo from Tran's [[UB-16 (rocket pod)|UB-16-57]]/[[S-5 rocket|S-5M]] unguided rocket-equipped MiG-21, while flight leader Nguyen was unable to establish a lock on another, wildly-evading F-105 with his R-3S AAM; this was the first instance of a VPAF MiG-21 shooting down a piloted enemy aircraft in the Vietnam War.<ref>Toperczer, 2015, pp. 52. The standard pair of MiG-21s was more successful in combat at the time when fitted with a mix of infra-red guided R-3S AAMs carried by the flight leader with the wingman carrying UB-16-57 rocket pods with unguided S-5M air-to-air missiles... , a dissimilar pair of MiG-21s scrambled from the 921st Fighter Regiment on CAP duty over Noi Bai against F-105D Thunderchiefs... repeated salvos of rockets from Tran Ngoc Siu's MiG-21 destroyed Capt. Tomes' F-105D, however Nguyen Ngat Chieu was unable to lock his R-3S AAMs against another F-105D making energetic evasive maneuvers... this was basically the first aerial victory by a MiG-21 over piloted American aircraft.</ref>

Although 13 of North Vietnam's [[flying aces]] attained their status while flying the MiG-21 (cf. three in the MiG-17), many VPAF pilots preferred the MiG-17 because the high [[wing loading]] of the MiG-21 made it relatively less maneuverable and the lighter framed canopy of the MiG-17 gave better visibility.<ref>Toperczer #25 2001, p. 12.</ref> However, this is not the impression British author Roger Boniface got when he interviewed Pham Ngoc Lan and ace [[Nguyen Nhat Chieu|Nguyễn Nhật Chiêu]] (who scored victories flying both the MiG-17 and MiG-21).<ref>Toperczer #25 2001, p. 88.</ref><ref>Toperczer #29 2001, p. 84.</ref> Pham Ngoc Lan told Boniface that "The MiG-21 was much faster, and it had two [[K-13 (missile)|Atoll]] missiles which were very accurate and reliable when fired between 1,000 and 1,200 yards."<ref>Boniface 2005, p. 190.</ref><ref>Michel 1997, pp. 41, 78, 153.</ref> And Chiêu asserted that "...&nbsp;for me personally, I preferred the MiG-21 because it was superior in all specifications in climb, speed and armament. The Atoll missile was very accurate and I scored four kills with the Atoll.&nbsp;... In general combat conditions, I was always confident of a kill over an [[F-4 Phantom]] when flying a MiG-21."<ref>Boniface 2005, p. 192.</ref><ref>Michel 1997, pp. 83, 155.</ref>

Although the MiG-21 lacked the long-range radar, missiles, and heavy bomb load of its contemporary multi-mission U.S. fighters, its [[RP-21 Sapfir]] radar helped make it a challenging adversary in the hands of experienced pilots, especially when used in high-speed hit-and-run attacks under GCI control. MiG-21 intercepts of [[Republic F-105 Thunderchief]] strike groups were effective in downing U.S. aircraft or forcing them to jettison their bomb loads.

====Aerial combat victories 1966–1972====
[[File:DF-ST-83-04934 (cropped).jpg|thumb|A Vietnamese MiG-21PFM]]
The VPAF flew their interceptors with guidance from ground controllers, who positioned the MiGs in ambush battle stations to make "one pass, then haul ass" attacks.<ref name="Michel III 42 43">Michel III pp. 42, 43</ref> The MiGs made fast and often accurate attacks against US formations from several directions (usually the MiG-17s performed head-on attacks and the MiG-21s attacked from the rear). After shooting down a few American planes and forcing some of the F-105s to drop their bombs prematurely, the MiGs did not wait for retaliation but disengaged rapidly. These "guerrilla warfare in the air" tactics<ref name="Michel III 42 43"/> generally proved successful during the war. In December 1966, the MiG-21 pilots of the 921st FR downed 14 F-105 Thunderchiefs without any losses.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://acepilots.com/vietnam/viet_aces.html |title= Vietnamese Aces – MiG-17 and MiG-21 pilots |work= Ace pilots |access-date= 9 August 2013 |archive-date= 23 January 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130123111248/http://acepilots.com/vietnam/viet_aces.html |url-status= dead }}</ref>

The USAF and the US Navy had high expectations of the F-4 Phantom, assuming that their massive firepower, best available on-board radar, highest speed and acceleration properties, coupled with new tactics, would provide an advantage over the MiGs. But in confrontations with the lighter MiG-21, F-4s began to suffer losses. From May to December 1966, the USAF lost 47 aircraft, destroying only 12 VPAF fighters in return. From April 1965 to November 1968, over 268 air battles occurred over the skies of North Vietnam. North Vietnam claimed 244 downed U.S. aircraft while admitting to the loss of 85 MiGs. Of 46 air battles between F-4s and MiG-21s, losses amounted to 27 F-4 Phantoms and 20 MiG-21s.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://survincity.com/2013/01/mig-21-against-the-phantom/ |title=MiG-21 against the Phantom | work = Survicinity |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141129015210/http://survincity.com/2013/01/mig-21-against-the-phantom/ |archive-date=29 November 2014 }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=October 2022}}

After a million sorties and nearly 1,000 US aircraft losses, [[Operation Rolling Thunder]] came to an end on 1 November 1968.<ref>Michel 1997, p. 149.</ref> A poor air-to-air combat [[loss exchange ratio|loss-exchange ratio]] against the smaller, more agile enemy MiGs during the early part of the war eventually led the US Navy to create their [[Navy Fighter Weapons School]], also known as "[[TOPGUN]]", at [[Naval Air Station Miramar]], [[California]], on 3 March 1969.<ref>Michel 1997, p. 186.</ref> The USAF quickly followed with its own version, called the [[Dissimilar air combat training|Dissimilar Air Combat Training]] (sometimes referred to as [[Red Flag exercise|Red Flag]]) program at [[Nellis Air Force Base]], [[Nevada]]. These two programs employed the subsonic [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk]] and supersonic [[Northrop F-5|F-5 Tiger II]], as well as the Mach 2.4-capable USAF [[Convair F-106 Delta Dart]], to mimic the MiG-21.<ref>Michel 1997, p. 187.</ref>

The culmination of the air struggle over Vietnam in early 1972 was 10 May, when VPAF aircraft completed 64 sorties, resulting in 15 air battles. The VPAF claimed 7 F-4s were shot down (the U.S. confirmed five F-4s were lost.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_246.shtml|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040220182211/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_246.shtml|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 20 February 2004|title=Vietnamese Air-to-Air Victories, Part 2|publisher= ACIG |access-date=14 November 2014}}</ref>) The F-4s, in turn, managed to destroy two MiG-21s, three MiG-17s and one MiG-19. On 11 May, two MiG-21s, playing the "bait", brought four F-4s to 2 MiG-21s circling at low altitude. The MiGs quickly stormed the Phantoms and 3 missiles shot down two F-4s. On 13 May, a MiG-21 unit intercepted a group of F-4s and a second pair of MiGs made a missile attack before being hit by two F-4s. On 18 May, VPAF aircraft made 26 sorties, eight of which resulted in combat, downing four F-4s without any VPAF losses.

Over the course of the air war, between 3 April 1965<ref>Anderton 1987, pp. 70–71.</ref> and 8 January 1973, each side would ultimately claim favorable kill ratios. In 1972, the number of air battles between American and Vietnamese planes stood at 201. The VPAF lost 54 MiGs (including 36 MiG-21s and one MiG-21US) and claimed 90 U.S. aircraft shot down, including 74 F-4 fighters and two RF-4C reconnaissance jets (MiG-21s shot down 67 enemy aircraft while MiG-17s shot down 11 and MiG-19s downed another 12{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}).

One MiG-21 was shot down on 21 February 1972 by a USAF F-4 Phantom based at [[Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base|Udorn RTAFB]], [[Thailand]] and piloted by Major Lodge with 1st Lt Roger Locher as his [[weapon systems officer]] (WSO). This was claimed as the first-ever USAF MiG kill at night, and the first in four years at that time.

Two MiG-21s were claimed shot down by USAF [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress]] [[tail gunner]]s; the only confirmed air-to-air kills ever made by the B-52. The first aerial victory was scored on 18 December 1972 by tail gunner Staff Sgt Samuel Turner, who was awarded the [[Silver Star]].<ref>[http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM3BYN "The plaque on SSgt Turner's grave."] ''waymarking.com.'' Retrieved: 1 December 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000593033/ |title=Staff Sgt. Samuel O. Turner |publisher=Af.mil |date=1972-12-18 |access-date=2022-02-14}}</ref> The second took place on 24 December 1972, when A1C Albert E. Moore downed a MiG-21 over the [[Thái Nguyên|Thai Nguyen]] railroad yards. Both actions occurred during [[Operation Linebacker II]], also known as the [[Christmas Bombings]].<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20070716/ai_n19374004/ | work=The Colorado Springs Gazette | date=16 July 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929235719/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20070716/ai_n19374004/ | archive-date=29 September 2011 | title=B-52 icon getting a face-lift | access-date=19 February 2022 | url-status=live}}</ref> These air-to-air kills were not confirmed by VPAF.

[[File:SolsticeMiGsmall (7633859414).jpg|thumb|VPAF MiG-21 No.4326, which shot down 13 aircraft during the war]]
The biggest threat to North Vietnam during the war had always been the [[Strategic Air Command]]'s B-52 bombers. [[Hanoi]]'s MiG-17 and MiG-19 interceptors could not deal with the B-52s at their flying altitude. In the summer of 1972, the VPAF was directed to train 12 MiG-21 pilots for the specific mission of shooting the B-52 bombers, with two-thirds of the pilots specifically trained in night attacks.<ref>Toperczer #25 2001, p. 61.</ref> On 26 December 1972, just two days after tail gunner Albert Moore downed a MiG-21, a VPAF MiG-21MF (number 5121)<ref>Toperczer #25 2001, p. 66 photo.</ref> from the 921st Fighter Regiment, flown by Major [[Pham Tuan|Phạm Tuân]] over Hanoi, claimed the first aerial combat kill of a B-52.<ref name="Toperczer, p. 66">Toperczer #25 2001, p. 66.</ref> The B-52 had been above Hanoi at over {{convert|30000|ft|m}} when Major Tuân launched two Atoll missiles from 2 kilometres away and claimed to have destroyed one of the bombers flying in the three-plane formation.<ref name="Toperczer, p. 66"/> Other sources argue that the Atoll missiles failed to hit their mark, but as it was disengaging, a B-52 from a three-bomber cell in front of his target took a hit from a [[surface-to-air missile]] (SAM), exploding in mid-air: this may have caused Tuân to think his missiles destroyed the target he had been aiming for.<ref>Michel 2002, pp. 205–6.</ref>

The Vietnamese claimed another kill on 28 December 1972 by a MiG-21 from the 921st FR, this time flown by Vu Xuan Thieu. Thieu is said to have perished in the explosion of a B-52 hit by his own missiles, having approached the target too closely.<ref name="Toperczer, p. 67"/> In this case, the Vietnamese version appears to be erroneous: while one MiG-21 kill was claimed by Phantoms that night (this may have been Thieu's MiG), no B-52s were lost for any reason on the date of the claimed kill.<ref>Michel 2002, p. 213.</ref>

;Year-by-year kill claims involving MiG-21s<ref name="Gordon 2008" />
* '''1966''': U.S. claimed six MiG-21s destroyed; North Vietnam claimed seven [[F-4 Phantom II]]s and 11 [[F-105 Thunderchief]]s shot down by MiG-21s.
* '''1967''': U.S. claimed 21 MiG-21s destroyed; North Vietnam claimed 17 F-105 Thunderchiefs, 11 F-4 Phantom IIs, two [[RF-101 Voodoo]]s, one [[A-4 Skyhawk]], one [[Vought F-8 Crusader]], one [[EB-66 Destroyer]] and three unidentified types shot down by MiG-21s.
* '''1968''': U.S. claimed nine MiG-21s destroyed; North Vietnam claimed 17 US aircraft shot down by MiG-21s.
* '''1969''': U.S. destroyed three MiG-21s; one [[Ryan Firebee]] UAV destroyed by a MiG-21.
* '''1970''': U.S. destroyed two MiG-21s; North Vietnam claimed one F-4 Phantom and one [[CH-53 Sea Stallion]] helicopter shot down by MiG-21s.
* '''1972''': U.S. claimed 51 MiG-21s destroyed; North Vietnam claimed 53 US aircraft shot down by MiG-21s, including two [[B-52 Stratofortress]] bombers. Soviet General Fesenko, the main Soviet adviser to the North Vietnamese Air Force in 1972,<ref name="Toperczer, p. 67">Toperczer #25 2001, p. 67.</ref> recorded 34 MiG-21s destroyed in 1972.<ref name="Toperczer, p. 67"/> According to VPAF, in 1972, they lost 29 MiG-21s, 5 MiG-19s and 16 MiG-17s in aircombat<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://old.vko.ru/pictures/2006_26/42_01.jpg| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203010754/http://old.vko.ru/pictures/2006_26/42_01.jpg |title=Table 1 | archive-date=2014-02-03 |website=old.vko.ru}}</ref>

On 3 January 1968, a single MiG-21 pilot, Ha Van Chuc, entered battle with 36 American planes and claimed one F-105 Thunderchief.<ref>{{Cite book | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=h8LvCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT35 | title=MiG-21 Units of the Vietnam War| isbn= 978-1-78200-687-9| last1=Toperczer| first1=István| date=2012-11-20| publisher=Bloomsbury}}</ref>

During the war, the VPAF claimed 103 F-4 Phantoms were shot down by MiG-21s, and that they lost 60 MiG-21s in air combat (54 by Phantoms).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kienthuc.net.vn/vu-khi/nga-noi-gi-ve-cuoc-dau-mig21-va-f4-o-viet-nam2-287379.html|title=Nga nói gì về cuộc đấu MiG-21 và F-4 ở Việt Nam(2)|date= 27 December 2013|website= Kiến thức |access-date=14 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="Gordon 2008" />

According to Soviet data, the VPAF MiG-21s claimed 165 air victories, with the loss of 65 aircraft (including a few by accident or friendly fire) and 16 pilots. The losses of MiG-21 pilots were the lowest of all airplanes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://old.vko.ru/pictures/2006_26/42_01.jpg |title= Picture |access-date=1 December 2018 | work = VKO |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140203010754/http://old.vko.ru/pictures/2006_26/42_01.jpg |archive-date= 3 February 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Arab–Israeli conflicts===
[[File:MirageIIIShotDownByMiG-21.jpg|thumb|Israeli [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]] shot down by an Egyptian MiG-21 during the [[Yom Kippur War]].]]
The MiG-21 was also used extensively in Middle Eastern conflicts of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s by the [[Egyptian Air Force]], [[Syrian Air Force]] and [[Iraqi Air Force]]. The MiG-21 first encountered Israeli [[Mirage III]]CJs on 14 November 1964, but it was not until 14 July 1966 that the first MiG-21 was shot down. Another six Syrian MiG-21s were shot down by Israeli Mirages on 7 April 1967. MiG-21s also faced [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II]]s and [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk]]s, but were later outclassed by the more modern [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]] and [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]], both acquired by Israel starting in the mid-1970s.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} During this period, Syrian pilots flying MiG-21s also independently discovered the [[Cobra maneuver]], which became a standard defensive maneuver under the name "zero speed maneuver" (Syrian: مناورة السرعة صفر).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the-unknown-story-of-the-syrian-mig-21-pilot-who-developed-the-cobra-manoeuvre-i-e-pugachev-wasnt-the-first-to-perform-the-cobra/|title=The Unknown Story of the Syrian MiG-21 Pilot who Developed the Cobra Manoeuvre: i.e. Pugachev Wasn't the First to Perform the Cobra|first=Tom|last=Cooper|date=7 August 2019|website=The Aviation Geek Club}}</ref>

During the opening attacks of the 1967 [[Six-Day War]], the [[Israeli Air Force]] (IAF) struck Arab air forces in four attack waves. In the first wave, Israeli pilots claimed to have destroyed eight Egyptian aircraft in air-to-air combat, of which seven were MiG-21s; Egypt claimed five kills scored by MiG-21PFs.<ref>[http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=185&Itemid=47 "Egyptian Air-to-Air Victories since 1948"]. ACIG. Retrieved: 25 August 2013.</ref> During the second wave, Israel claimed four more MiG-21s downed in air-to-air combat, with the third wave resulting claimed air victories over two Syrian and one Iraqi MiG-21. The fourth wave destroyed many more Syrian MiG-21s on the ground. Overall, Egypt lost around 100 out of about 110 MiG-21s they had, almost all on the ground; Syria lost 35 of its 60 MiG-21F-13s and MiG-21PFs in the air and on the ground.<ref name="Gordon 2008" />

Between the end of the Six-Day War and the start of the [[War of Attrition]], IAF Mirage fighters scored six confirmed kills of Egyptian MiG-21s, and Egyptian MiG-21s scored two confirmed and three probable kills against Israeli aircraft. Between the end of the Six-Day War to the end of the War of Attrition, Israel claimed a total of 25 destroyed Syrian MiG-21s; the Syrians claimed three confirmed and four probable kills of Israel aircraft, although Israel denied these.<ref name="Gordon 2008" />

High losses to Israeli aircraft and continuous bombing during the War of Attrition caused Egypt to ask the Soviet Union for help. In March 1970, Soviet pilots and SAM crews arrived with their equipment. On 13 April, during the air battle over the Red Sea coast, the Soviet MiG-21MFs, according to some data, shot down two Israeli F-4 fighters<ref>Окороков А. В. Война на истощение // Секретные войны Советского Союза: первая полная энциклопедия. — М.: ЭКСМО, 2008. — С. 81.</ref><ref name="safar">{{cite web |last=Safarik |first=Jan J. |title=SOVIET UNION - War of Attrition 1969-1970 |url=http://aces.safarikovi.org/victories/sssr-war.of.attrition.html |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=aces.safarikovi.org}}</ref> On 18 April, one Israeli scout RF-4E "Phantom" was damaged by a Soviet MiG-21MF.<ref name=safar /> On 16 May, an Israeli aircraft was shot down in air combat, probably by a Soviet MiG-21.<ref>Nicolle and Cooper, 32</ref> On 22 June 1970, a Soviet pilot flying a MiG-21MF shot down an Israeli A-4E. After that, several more successful intercepts were carried out by Soviet pilots and another Israeli A-4 was shot down on 25 June.<ref name=safar />

In response, Israel planned an ambush, calling it [[Operation Rimon 20]]. On 30 July, Israeli F-4s lured Soviet MiG-21s into an area where they were ambushed by Israeli Mirages. [[Asher Snir]], flying a Mirage IIICJ, destroyed a Soviet MiG-21; [[Avihu Ben-Nun]] and [[Aviam Sela]], both piloting F-4Es, each got a kill, and an unidentified pilot in another Mirage scored a fourth kill against a Soviet-flown MiG-21; the IAF suffered only a damaged Mirage. Three Soviet pilots were killed and the [[Soviet Union]] was alarmed by the losses. Yet though it was a [[morale]]-boosting achievement, ''Rimon 20'' did not change the course of the war. After the operation, other IAF aircraft were lost to Soviet MiG-21s and SAMs. A week later, on 7 August, the Soviets responded by deploying more aircraft to Egypt and luring Israeli fighter jets into an ambush of their own, "Operation Kavkaz", downing two Israeli Mirage IIICJs.<ref>Sachar, Howard: ''Israel and Europe: An Appraisal in History'', p. 171-172</ref> In all, during March and August 1970, Soviet MiG-21 pilots and SAM crews destroyed 21 Israeli aircraft (eight by [[SA-3]] missile systems and 13 by MiG-21s) at a cost of 5 MiG-21s shot down by the IAF, helping to convince the Israelis to sign a [[ceasefire]].<ref>Зенитные ракетные войска в войнах во Вьетнаме и на Ближнем Востоке (в период 1965–1973 гг.). М.: Воениздат, 1980. С. 215</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=December 2021}}

In September 1973, a large air battle erupted between Syria and Israel; Israel claimed a total of 12 Syrian MiG-21s destroyed, while Syria claimed eight kills scored by MiG-21s and admitted five losses.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

During the [[Yom Kippur War]], Israel claimed 73 kills against Egyptian MiG-21s (65 confirmed). Egypt claimed 27 confirmed kills and eight probables against Israeli aircraft by its MiG-21s.<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> However, according to most Israeli sources, these were exaggerated claims, as Israeli air-to-air combat losses for the entire war did not exceed fifteen.<ref name=pollack124>Pollack 2004, p. 124.</ref><ref>Herzog 1975, p. 259.</ref>

On the Syrian front, 6 October 1973 saw a flight of Syrian MiG-21MFs shoot down an Israeli A-4E and Mirage IIICJ, losing three of their own to Israeli [[IAI Nesher]]s. On 7 October, Syrian MiG-21MFs downed two Israeli F-4Es, three Mirage IIICJs and an A-4E while losing two of their MiGs to Neshers and one to an F-4E, as well as two to friendly SAM fire. Iraqi MiG-21PFs also operated on this front, and on that same day destroyed two A-4Es while losing one MiG. On 8 October 1973, Syrian MiG-21PFMs downed three F-4Es, but six of their MiG-21s were lost. By the end of the war, Syrian MiG-21s claimed a total of 30 confirmed kills against Israeli aircraft; 29 MiG-21s were claimed (26 confirmed) as destroyed by the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]].<ref name="Gordon 2008" />

Later on 26 April 1974, an unusual occurrence involving [[Pakistanis|Pakistani]] fighter pilot [[Sattar Alvi|Flight Lieutenant Sattar Alvi]] took place while he was on deputation to the No. 67A Squadron of the Syrian Air Force. Alvi, flying a Syrian MiG-21F-13 (Serial No. 1863) out of Syria's [[Al-Dumayr Military Airport|Al-Dumayr Air Base]] with a fellow [[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]] pilot, was on aerial patrol near the [[Golan Heights]] when he spotted two Israeli Mirage-IIICJs intruding in Syrian airspace. According to modern Pakistani sources, Alvi and his flight leader engaged them, and after a brief dogfight, shot down one of the Mirages, flown by Captain M. Lutz. The Israeli pilot later succumbed to wounds he sustained during ejection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/855837/50-years-on-memories-of-the-1973-arab-israeli-conflict|title=50 years on: Memories of the 1973 Arab-Israeli Conflict|date=19 March 2015|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=1519042488480059392|user=DGPR_PAF|title=26 Apr 1974 holds significant importance for Pakistan Air Force. It is the day when Flt. Lt. Sattar Alvi, shot down…|date=26 April 2022}}</ref> However, no major sources from the time reported on such an incident,<ref>{{Cite web |title=⁨מעריב⁩ {{!}} עמוד 1 {{!}} 28 אפריל 1974 {{!}} אוסף העיתונות {{!}} הספרייה הלאומית |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/mar/1974/04/28/01/page/1 |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=www.nli.org.il |language=he}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=April 1974 Broadcast Index {{!}} Vanderbilt Television News Archive |url=https://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/siteindex/1974-4 |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=tvnews.vanderbilt.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Results 1 to 13 of 13 for syria israel — California Digital Newspaper Collection |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=q&hs=1&r=1&results=1&txq=syria+israel+&dafdq=26&dafmq=04&dafyq=1974&datdq=28&datmq=04&datyq=1974&puq=&txf=txIN&ssnip=txt&oa=&e=26-04-1974-30-04-1974--en--20--1--txt-txIN-syria+israel+------- |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=cdnc.ucr.edu}}</ref> and there is no mention of "Captain Lutz" in [[Ministry of Defense (Israel)|Israel's Ministry of Defense]]'s record of Israel's casualties of war.<ref>{{Cite web |title=אתר ההנצחה לחללי מערכות ישראל |url=https://www.izkor.gov.il/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=אתר ההנצחה לחללי מערכות ישראל |language=he}}</ref>

Between the end of the Yom Kippur War and the start of the [[1982 Lebanon War]], Israel received modern F-15s and F-16s which were far superior to the old Syrian MiG-21MFs. According to the IDF, these new aircraft shot down 24 Syrian MiG-21s over this period, though Syria did claim five IAF kills by MiG-21s armed with outdated [[K-13 (missile)|K-13 missiles]]; Israel denied that it had suffered any losses.<ref name="Gordon 2008" />

The 1982 Lebanon War began on 6 June 1982, and during the conflict the IAF claimed to have destroyed about 45 Syrian MiG-21MFs. Syria confirmed the loss of 37 MiG-21s, including 24 MiG-21bis and 10 MiG-21MF downed and 2 MiG-21bis and 1 MiG-21MF written off<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skywar.ru/Lebanon.html|title=Бои в Ливане - Авиация в локальных конфликтах - www.skywar.ru|website=www.skywar.ru}}</ref> Syria claimed two confirmed and 15 probable kills of Israeli aircraft.<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> Two Israeli F-15s and one F-4 were damaged in combat with MiG-21s.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.waronline.org/IDF/Articles/lebanon-losses.htm|title=Потери ВВС Израиля в Ливане| work = War online |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status= dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417162044/http://www.waronline.org/IDF/Articles/lebanon-losses.htm |archive-date=17 April 2014}}</ref><ref name=":0">[http://www.acig.info/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=47 "Syrian Air-to-Air Victories since 1948."] ''ACIG''. Retrieved: 25 August 2013.</ref> In the largest air battle since the Korean War, one Israeli F-15 was heavily damaged by a Syrian MiG-21 firing a [[R-60 (missile)]], but was able to make back to base for repairs.<ref name=":0" /> {{dead link|date=December 2021}}

===Syrian civil war===
{{See also|List of aviation shootdowns and accidents during the Syrian Civil War}}

Beginning in July 2012, at which point the [[Syrian civil war]] had lasted a year without aerial action, the [[Syrian Air Force]] started operations against Syrian insurgents. MiG-21s were among the first combat-ready aircraft used in bombings, rocket attacks and [[Strafing|strafing runs]], with numerous videos showing the attacks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theaviationist.com/2013/10/31/bomb-on-you/|title=The Aviationist " [Video] This is what being in the trajectory of a bomb dropped by a Syrian attack plane looks like|website=The Aviationist|access-date=14 November 2014|date=2013-10-31}}</ref>

The rebels had access to [[heavy machine gun]]s, different anti-aircraft guns and Russian and Chinese [[MANPADS]], up to modern designs such as the [[FN-6]]. The first loss of a MiG-21 during the Syrian civil war was recorded on 30 August 2012. The MiG, registration number 2271, was likely downed by heavy machine gun fire on takeoff or landing at [[Abu al-Duhur Military Airbase]], [[Siege of Abu al-Duhur Airbase|under siege by rebels]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theboresight.blogspot.fr/?view=classic|title=The Boresight|access-date=14 November 2014}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=December 2021}} A few days later, on 4 September 2012, another MiG-21 (registration number 2280) was shot down in similar circumstances at the same base, also likely on takeoff or landing by rebels using by [[KPV]] 14.5&nbsp;mm machine guns; the downing was recorded on video.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brown-moses.blogspot.it/2012/09/mig-21-shot-down-in-idlib.html|title=Brown Moses Blog|author=Brown Moses|access-date=14 November 2014|date=2012-09-04}}</ref>

On 10 November 2014, Syrian Air Force MiG-21bis number 2204 was shot down, and its pilot killed, by rebels either using a MANPADS or antiaircraft guns, near the town of [[Sabburah]], 45&nbsp;km east of [[Hama]] Airbase where it was likely based. Video and photo evidence of the crash site later emerged.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

Four months after a MiG-23 was shot down and during which time the Syrian Air Force suffered no losses from enemy fire, one of its MiG-21s was shot down on 12 March 2016 by the [[Jaysh al-Nasr]] faction over [[Hama Governorate|Hama]] near [[Kafr Nabudah]]. While the [[Syrian Observatory for Human Rights]], as suggested by video evidence, reported that the warplane had been downed by two MANPADS, Jaysh al-Nasr militants claimed to have shot it down with anti-aircraft guns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/syria-rebels-shot-down-warplane-170059577.html|title=Rebels shoot down Syrian warplane|date=12 March 2016 |agency=Reuters}}</ref> The pilot appeared to have bailed out of the stricken MiG, but died from ground fire or other causes.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

On 4 March 2017, a Syrian MiG-21bis from No. 679 squadron, operating out of Hama Airbase and piloted by Col. Mohammad Sawfan, was shot down by [[Ahrar al-Sham]] rebels, crashing in [[Turkey|Turkish]] territory near the border. Col. Sawfan successfully ejected but was arrested and taken to a hospital in [[Antakya]], Turkey. A recording between the pilot and ground controller clearly showed Sawfan's disorientation due to a malfunctioning compass, followed by a failure of the entire navigation system. He could not find his way back to base as ordered and inadvertently flew within range of rebel anti-aircraft guns.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} After being suspended for a number of years, Sawfan was allowed to return to service.

===Libyan–Egyptian War===
Egypt received American [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|Sidewinder]] missiles, fitting them to their MiG-21s and successfully using them in combat against Libyan Mirages and MiG-23s during the brief [[Egyptian–Libyan War]] of July 1977.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Libya vs Egypt conflicts: MiG-21s in air-to-air combat<ref name="Gordon 2008" />
! Date !! Side !! Aircraft scoring kill !! Victim
|-
! 22 July 1977
| [[Libyan Air Force (1951-2011)|Libyan Arab Republic Air Force]]
| [[Mirage 5|Mirage 5DE]]
| 1 MiG-21MF
|-
! 23 July 1977
| [[Egyptian Air Force]]
| MiG-21MFs
| 3 (or 4) LARAF Mirages + 1 LARAF [[MiG-23MS]]
|-
! 1979
| Egyptian Air Force 
| MiG-21MF
| 1 LARAF MiG-23MS
|}

===Iran–Iraq War===
During the [[Iran–Iraq War]], 23 Iraqi MiG-21s were shot down by [[F-14 Tomcat in Iranian Service|Iranian F-14s]], as confirmed by Iranian, Western and Iraqi sources<ref>Cooper and Bishop, 2004, pp.&nbsp;85–88.</ref> and another 29 Iraqi MiG-21s were downed by F-4s.<ref>Cooper and Bishop 2004, pp. 87–88.</ref>
However, from 1980 to 1988, Iraqi MiG-21s shot down 43 Iranian fighter aircraft.<ref>Gordon and Dexter 2008, pp. 390–392.</ref>

===Libya===
====Libyan Civil War (2011)====
Libyan MiG-21s saw limited service during the [[2011 Libyan civil war]].{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} On 15 March 2011, one MiG-21bis and one MiG-21UM flown by [[Defection|defecting]] [[Libyan Air Force]] pilots flew from [[Ghardabiya Airbase]] near [[Sirte]] to [[Benina International Airport|Benina Airport]] to join the rebellion's [[Free Libyan Air Force]]. On 17 March 2011, the MiG-21UM experienced a technical fault and crashed after taking off from Benina.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=121151 "MiG-21UM/bis Fishbed K."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103163657/http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=121151 |date=3 November 2012 }} ''Aviation Safety Net.'' Retrieved: 9 May 2011.</ref>

====Libyan Civil War (2014–2020)====
In the [[Second Libyan Civil War (2014–present)|Second Libyan Civil War (2014–2020)]], the [[Libyan National Army]], under the command of [[Khalifa Haftar]] is loyal to the legislative body in [[Tobruk]], which is the [[House of Representatives (Libya)|Libyan House of Representatives]], internationally recognised until October 2015. It fights against the now internationally recognized [[Government of National Accord]] and the [[Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries]] as well as [[Islamic State in Libya]] which are common enemies for both the [[Government of National Accord]] and the [[Libyan National Army]]. Both the [[Libyan National Army]] and the [[Government of National Accord]] field small airforces.
As such, a number of former Libyan Arab Air Force (LARAF) MiG-21s were returned to service with the Tobruk-based [[Libyan National Army]], thanks to spare parts and technical assistance from Egypt and Russia, while a number of former Egyptian Air Force MiG-21s were pressed into service as well.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
MiG-21s under the control of the Libyan [[House of Representatives (Libya)|House of Representatives]] have been used extensively to bomb forces loyal to the rival [[New General National Congress|General National Congress]] in [[Benghazi]] during the [[2014 Libyan Civil War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theaviationist.com/2014/10/17/libyan-mig-21-air-strikes/|title=The Aviationist " Photo proves Libyan Mig-21s (not Egyptian aircraft) have conducted air strikes in Benghazi recently|website=The Aviationist|access-date=6 April 2015|date=2014-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/41023/retired-general-launches-war-against-islamists-in-eastern-libya|title=Retired general launches war against Islamists in eastern Libya|website=janes.com|access-date=6 April 2015}}</ref>

On 29 August 2014, an LNA MiG-21bis, serial number 208, after a bombing mission over Derna, crashed in [[Bayda, Libya|Bayda]] according to an official statement as a result of a technical failure of the plane, while Islamist [[Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries]] claimed it was shot down. The pilot did not eject and died in the crash.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.libyaherald.com/2014/08/29/operation-dignity-aircraft-crashes-near-beida/|title=Operation Dignity aircraft crashes near Beida|website=Libya Herald|date=29 August 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/08/libya-fighters-say-they-downed-enemy-plane-201482920417629987.html|title=Libya fighters say enemy plane shot down|website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref>

On 2 September 2014 an LNA MiG-21bis, serial number 800, crashed in a city block of [[Tobruk]], due to pilot error during a pull-up maneuver.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4GPFLZ-8PY "MiG-21 Crashes in Libyan City of Tobruk." ''Vice News.'' Retrieved: 2 September 2014.]</ref> It is unclear whether the pilot had been on a bombing mission on the way to Derna, further East, or had been performing an aerial ceremony for the MiG-21 pilot who died a few days earlier.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

Part of the [[2019 Western Libya offensive]], on 9 April 2019, a [[Libyan National Army]] MiG-21 made a low altitude diving rocket attack, probably firing [[S-24 rocket|S-24]] rockets on Mitiga airport in Tripoli, making limited damages to one of the runways.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://defence-point.com/2019/04/09/haftar-air-force-mig-21-strikes-mitiga-airport-in-tripoli/|title=Haftar Air Force MiG-21 strikes Mitiga Airport in Tripoli|date=9 April 2019|access-date=16 April 2019|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416105618/https://defence-point.com/2019/04/09/haftar-air-force-mig-21-strikes-mitiga-airport-in-tripoli/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 14 April 2019, a [[Libyan National Army]] MiG-21MF was shot down by a [[surface-to-air missile]], probably a [[MANPADS]] fired by the forces of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) south of Tripoli. Video evidence confirmed the MiG-21 came under fire from anti-aircraft guns, small arms and two [[surface-to-air missile|SAMs]], one of which apparently hit the target. The pilot, Colonel Jamal Ben Amer ejected safely and recovered to LNA-held territory by a Mi-35 helicopter. LNA sources confirmed the loss but blamed a technical problem.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opex360.com/2019/04/15/un-avion-mig-21-de-larmee-nationale-libyenne-abattu-au-sud-de-tripoli/|title=Un avion MiG-21 de l'Armée nationale libyenne abattu au sud de Tripoli|date=15 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lostarmour.info/libya/item.php?id=20474|title=Lostarmour ID: 20474|website=lostarmour.info|access-date=16 April 2019|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609222846/https://lostarmour.info/libya/item.php?id=20474|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Horn of Africa===
During the [[Ogaden War]] of 1977–78, [[Ethiopian Air Force]] F-5As engaged [[Somali Air Force]] MiG-21MFs in combat on several occasions. In one lopsided incident, two F-5As piloted by Israeli advisers or mercenaries engaged four MiG-21MFs. The MiGs were handled incompetently by the Somali pilots, and the F-5As destroyed two while the surviving pilots collided with each other avoiding an [[AIM-9]].<ref name="Gordon 2008" />{{page needed|date=December 2021}}

Ethiopia claimed to have shot down 10 Somali MiG-21MFs; while Somalia also claimed to have destroyed several Ethiopian MiG-21MFs, three F-5Es, one [[English Electric Canberra|Canberra]] bomber and three [[Douglas DC-3]]s.<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> Ethiopian MiG-21s were deployed largely in the ground attack role, and proved instrumental during the final offensive against Somali ground forces.<ref name="Gordon 2008" />{{page needed|date=December 2021}}

Ethiopian pilots who had flown both the F-5E and the MiG-21 and received training in both the US and the USSR considered the F-5 to be the superior fighter because of its manoeuvrability at low to medium speeds, its superior instrumentation and the fact that it was far easier to fly, allowing the pilot to focus on combat rather than controlling his airplane.<ref name="Wings">Cooper, Tom., "Wings over Ogaden, 2015, ch. 3</ref> This effect was enhanced by the poor quality of pilot training provided by the Soviets, which provided limited flight time and focussed exclusively on taking off and landing, with no practical training in air combat.<ref name="Wings"/><ref name="EEW">Cooper, Tom & Fontanellaz, Adrian, "Ethiopian-Eritrean Wars Volume 1, 2018, ch. 4</ref>

===Angola===
Despite extensive losses to [[man-portable air-defense systems]], MiG-21s were instrumental during the [[Battle of Cuito Cuanavale]]; Cuban pilots became accustomed to flying up to three sorties a day. Both the MiG-21MF and the MiG-21bis were deployed almost exclusively in the [[Fighter-bomber|fighter/bomber]] role. As interceptors, they were somewhat unsuccessful due to their inability to detect low-flying South African aircraft.<ref name="Angola">{{cite web|url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_184.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040519054722/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_184.shtml|url-status=usurped|archive-date=19 May 2004|title=Angola: Claims and Reality about SAAF Losses|access-date=14 November 2014}}</ref> On 6 November 1981, a Mirage F1CZ achieved South Africa's first confirmed air-to-air kill since the [[Korean War]] when it destroyed Cuban Lieutenant Danacio Valdez's MiG-21MF with 30mm cannon fire.<ref name="Transport">{{cite web|url=http://www.sa-transport.co.za/aircraft/mirage_f1_saaf_service.html|title=Mirage F1 in SAAF Service|access-date=14 November 2014}}</ref> On 5 October 1982, Mirages escorting an [[English Electric Canberra]] on routine reconnaissance over [[Cahama]] were engaged by at least two MiG-21bis. A South African radar operator picked up the attacking MiGs and was able to alert the Mirage pilots in advance, instructing them to change course immediately. As they jettisoned their auxiliary tanks, however, they were pinpointed by the Cubans, who opened pursuit. In a vicious [[dogfight]], SAAF Major John Rankin closed range and maneuvered into the MiGs' rear cones. From there, one of his two [[R.550 Magic]] missiles impacted directly behind the lead MiG and forced it down. The second aircraft, piloted by Lieutenant Raciel Marrero Rodriguez, could not detect the Mirage's proximity until it had entered his turn radius and was perforated by Rankin's autocannon. This damaged MiG-21 landed safely at [[Lubango]].<ref name="Transport"/>

Contacts between MiG-21s and SAAF Mirage F1s or [[Mirage III]]s became increasingly common throughout the 1980s. Between 1984 and 1988, thirteen MiG-21s were lost over Angola.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercenary-wars.net/angola/angola-86-89/russian-downed-pilots.html|title=Angolan and Soviet Pilots|access-date=14 November 2014|archive-date=4 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504001623/http://www.mercenary-wars.net/angola/angola-86-89/russian-downed-pilots.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 9 August 1984, a particularly catastrophic accident occurred when the 9th Fighter Training Squadrons and the 12th Fighter Squadrons of the Cuban Air Force attempted to carry out an exercise in poor weather. A single MiG-21bis and three MiG-23s were lost.<ref name="Angola"/> {{dead link|date=December 2021}}

On 14 December 1988, an [[Angolan Air Force]] MiG-21bis, serial number C340, strayed off course and being low on fuel executed an emergency landing on an open field in [[South West Africa]], modern-day [[Namibia]], where it was seized by local authorities. Since Angola did not request its return after the [[South African Border War]], the MiG was restored by [[Atlas Aircraft Corporation|Atlas Aviation]] and until September 2017 it was displayed at [[Air Force Base Swartkop|Swartkops Air Force Base]], [[Pretoria]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planes.cz/en/photo/1124351/mig21bis-c-340-angolan-air-force-swartkop-afb-fask/|title=MIG21bis|author=milhaus|access-date=14 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019205318/http://www.planes.cz/en/photo/1124351/mig21bis-c-340-angolan-air-force-swartkop-afb-fask|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The jet was returned to Angola, flying in an Angolan [[Il-76]] cargo plane, as a sign of goodwill on 15 September 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/south-africa-returns-mig-21-fighter-jet-to-angola/|title=South Africa returns MiG-21 fighter jet to Angola|date=20 September 2017}}</ref>

===Democratic Republic of the Congo===
The MiG-21MFs of the 25th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the [[National Air Force of Angola]] flew ground sorties during the [[Second Congo War]], sometimes being piloted by mercenaries.<ref name="Congo"/> Some six MiG-21s were imported into the country during the [[First Congo War]] for the Congo Air Force, but do not appear to have seen operational service. (Cooper and Weinert, "African MiGs: Volume 1: Angola to Ivory Coast").

===Yugoslavia===
[[File:BAM-19a-MiG 21 F-13.jpg|thumb|A [[Yugoslav Air Force]] MiG-21F-13]]

[[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] purchased its first batch of MiG-21s in 1962 from the [[Soviet Union]]. From 1962 to the early 1980s, Yugoslavia purchased 261 MiG-21s, of ten different variants. There were 41 MiG-21f-13, 36 MiG-21PfM, 25 MiG-21M, 6 MiG-21MF, 46 MiG-21bis, 45 MiG-21bisK, 12 MiG-21R, 18 MiG-21U, 25 MiG-21UM, and 7 MiG-21US.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paluba.info/smf/index.php/topic,13541.0.html|title=Letelice MiG-21 u RV i PVO i njihove sudbine|access-date=14 November 2014}}</ref> Yugoslav Air force units that operated MiG-21s were the [[204th Air Brigade|204th Fighter-Aviation Regiment]] at [[Batajnica Air Base]] (126th, 127th and 128th fighter-aviation squadrons), 117th fighter-aviation regiment at [[Željava Air Base]] (124th and 125th fighter-aviation squadron and 352nd recon squadron), 83rd fighter-aviation regiment at [[Slatina Air Base]] (123rd and 130th fighter aviation squadron), 185th fighter-bomber-aviation squadron (129th fighter-aviation squadron) at Pula and 129th training center at Batajnica air base.

During the early stages of the 1990s' [[Yugoslav wars]], the [[Yugoslav People's Army|Yugoslav military]] used MiG-21s in a ground-attack role, while Croatian and Slovene forces did not yet have air forces at that point in the conflict. Aircraft from air bases in Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were relocated to air bases in Serbia. Detailed records show at least seven MiG-21s were shot down by AA defenses in [[Croatia]] and [[Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]].<ref name="Avijacija">[http://www.avijacijabezgranica.com/ "Avijacija bez granica" {{in lang{{!}}sr}}.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060610094033/http://avijacijabezgranica.com/ |date=10 June 2006 }} ''avijacijabezgranica.com.'' Retrieved: 1 December 2010.</ref> A MiG-21 [[1992 European Community Monitor Mission helicopter downing|piloted by a Serbian Yugoslav Air Force pilot shot down an EC helicopter in 1992]].<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120717234329/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/printer_381.shtml "Austrian Radar Plots."]}} ''ACIG.'' Retrieved: 1 December 2010.</ref>

Croatia acquired three MiG-21s in 1992 through defections by Croatian pilots serving with the [[Yugoslav People's Army|JNA]],<ref>[http://aviatia.net/croatian-af-mig-21/ Croatian MiG-21] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401005749/http://aviatia.net/croatian-af-mig-21/ |date=1 April 2018 }} at aviatia.net</ref> two of which were lost in subsequent actions – one to Serbian air defenses, the other a [[friendly fire]] accident.<ref name="ACIG MiGs Over Croatia">{{cite web|url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_305.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216034504/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_305.shtml|archive-date=16 February 2014|title=MiGs Over Croatia|work=ACIG|last=Cooper|first=Tom|date=28 October 2003|url-status=usurped|access-date=1 December 2010}}</ref> In 1993, Croatia purchased about 40 MiG-21s in violation of an arms embargo,<ref name="ACIG MiGs Over Croatia" /> but only about 20 of these entered service, while the rest were used for spare parts. Croatia used them alongside the sole remaining defector for ground attack missions in operations [[Operation Flash|Flash]] (during which one was lost) and [[Operation Storm|Storm]]. The only air-to-air action for Croatian MiGs was an attempt by two of them to intercept [[Soko J-22 Orao]]s of [[Republika Srpska Air Force|Republika Srpska's air force]] on a ground attack mission on 7 August 1995. After some maneuvering, both sides disengaged without firing.<ref name="ACIG MiGs Over Croatia" />

The remaining Yugoslav MiG-21s were flown to Serbia by 1992 and continued their service in the newly created Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. During the 1999 [[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]], three MiG-21s were destroyed on the ground.<ref name="Avijacija" /> The type continued to serve with the [[Serbian Air Force]] until 25 September 2020, when the country's last active MiG-21 crashed in the village of [[Brasina]], near [[Mali Zvornik]], killing both pilots. The aircraft, a MiG-21UM that left the assembly line in December 1986, was the last MiG-21 ever produced in the Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite web|last=Banković|first=Živojin|date=2 February 2021|title=Da li je MiG-21UM izgubljen u prošlogodišnjem udesu poslednji proizvedeni primerak tog tipa aviona?|lang=sr|website=tangosix.rs|url=https://tangosix.rs/2021/02/02/da-li-je-mig-21um-izgubljen-u-proslogodisnjem-udesu-poslednji-proizvedeni-primerak-tog-tipa-aviona/|accessdate=14 September 2024}}</ref>

===Romania===
[[File:MiG-21 Lancer C firing rockets.jpg|thumb|A Romanian Air Force MiG-21 LanceR C during a training exercise.]]
In 1962, [[Romanian Air Force]] (RoAF) received the first 12 MiG-21F-13, followed by another 12 of the same variant in 1963. Deliveries continued over the next years with other variants: 38 aircraft of MiG-21RFM (PF) variant in 1965, 7 MiG-21U-400/600 in 1965–1968, 56 MiG-21RFMM (PFM) in 1966–1968, 12 MiG-21R in 1968–1972, 68 MiG-21M plus 11 MiG-21US in 1969–1970, 74 MiG-21MF/MF-75 in 1972–1975, and 27 MiG-21UM in 1972–1980 plus another 5 of the same variant in 1990, for a total number of 322 aircraft.<ref name="aa">{{cite web|url=http://www.aripi-argintii.ro/pagina.php?p=16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718114646/http://www.aripi-argintii.ro/pagina.php?p=16|url-status=dead|title=RoAF aircraft|archive-date=18 July 2017}}</ref>

In 1995–2002, a total of 111 MiG-21s were modernized, of which 71 were M and MF/MF-75 variants modernized under the LanceR A designation (for ground attack), 14 were UM variant as LanceR B designation (trainer), and another 26 MF/MF-75 variant were modernized under LanceR C designation (air superiority).<ref name="aa"/> Today, only 36 LanceRs are operational for the RoAF. It can use both Western and Eastern armament such as the R-60M, R-73, Magic 2, or Python III missiles.

[[File:MiG 21-Lancer Combat Mission Trainer.jpg|thumb|MiG-21 LanceR simulator cockpit view]]
The MiG-21s are to be retired in 2024, after another two [[F-16]] squadrons will be ready following the purchase of 32 more F-16s from [[Norwegian Air Force|Norway]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://adevarul.ro/news/eveniment/batranelemig-21-lancer-ies-serviciu-in2024-1_61d1b2215163ec42713c41a8/index.html|title=Bătrânele MiG-21 LanceR ies din serviciu în 2024|language=ro|work=[[Adevarul]]|date=2 January 2022}}</ref>

Despite being one of the newest MiG-21 fleets in service, the Romanian MiG-21 LanceR fleet was grounded due to difficulties maintaining the aircraft, and since 1996 it has had an accident rate of over 30 per 100,000 hours. Serviceability rates below 50% are not uncommon.<ref>Civil Airworthiness Certification: Former Military High-Performance Aircraft, United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. p. 2-2.</ref>

The Romanian Air Force has suffered numerous events in recent years with its arsenal of MiG-21s. On 12 June 2017, a MiG-21 crashed in [[Constanța County]], with Adrian Stancu, the pilot, managing to escape in time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.romania-insider.com/mig-21-lancer-aircraft-crashes-in-romania-pilot-manages-to-catapult|title=MiG 21 LanceR aircraft crashes in Romania, pilot manages to catapult|newspaper=[[Romania Insider]]|date=12 June 2017}}</ref> On 7 July 2018, Florin Rotaru died during an airshow in [[Borcea]] with some 3,000 attendants while piloting a MiG-21 that suffered technical difficulties, choosing to deflect the plane and die to protect the attendants rather than ejecting himself in time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.romania-insider.com/mig-fighter-crashes-airshow-romania-pilot-dies-save-crowd|title=MiG fighter crashes during airshow in Romania, pilot dies to save crowd|newspaper=Romania Insider|date=7 July 2018}}</ref> On 20 April 2021, during a training flight, a MiG-21 crashed in an uninhabited zone in [[Mureș County]]. The pilot, Andrei Criste, managed to eject safely and survived the crash.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.romania-insider.com/mig-lancer-crash-romania-april-2021|title=MiG 21 LanceR fighter crashes in Romania, pilot survives|first=Irina|last=Marica|newspaper=Romania Insider|date=21 April 2021}}</ref>

On the March 2nd 2022, A MiG-21 LanceR crashed during adverse weather conditions near the village of Gura Dobrogei, [[Cogealac]] Commune.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-un-avion-mig-21-lancer-a-disparut-de-pe-radar-in-judetul-constanta-video-elicopterul-care-a-plecat-in-cautarea-avionului-s-a-prabusit-sapte-militari-au-decedat.html|title=Un avion MiG 21 LanceR a dispărut de pe radar în județul Constanța|first=Ana|last=Popescu|newspaper=G4 Media|date=2 March 2022}}</ref> On 15 April 2022, the RoAF suspended all MiG-21 LanceR flights due to the high rate of accidents, and announced that it planned to speed up the acquisition of the ex-Norwegian F-16s.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-04-15 |title=Romania suspends all MiG-21 LanceR flights |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-suspends-mig-21-flights |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=Romania Insider |language=en}}</ref> On 23 May, the LanceRs resumed flights for a period of one year, until 15 May 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defenseromania.ro/romania-reia-zborurile-mig-21-lancer-pentru-o-perioada-de-un-an-pentru-mentinerea-antrenamentului-pilotilor-si-misiuni-de-politie-aeriana_616574.html|title=Zborurile MiG-21 LanceR, reluate pentru o perioadă de un an. Misiuni pentru menținerea antrenamentului piloților și poliție aeriană|language=ro|work=Defense Romania|date=24 May 2022}}</ref> On 15 May 2023, a retirement ceremony was held for the aircraft at the [[RoAF 71st Air Base|71st Air Base]], and at the [[RoAF 86th Air Base|86th Air Base]]. From there, the MiG-21 took off to their final destination at the [[RoAF 95th Air Base|95th Air Base]].<ref name="lancer">{{cite news|url=https://www.g4media.ro/ultimele-zboruri-pentru-aeronavele-mig-21-lancer-ceremonii-in-mai-multe-baze-aeriene-din-romania.html|title=Ultimele zboruri pentru aeronavele MiG-21 LanceR/ Ceremonii în mai multe baze aeriene din România|newspaper=g4media.ro|date=15 May 2023}}</ref>

===Bulgaria===
[[File:Bulgarian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis Lofting-1.jpg|thumb|upright|MiG-21bis fighters of the [[Bulgarian Air Force]]]]

The [[Bulgarian Air Force]] received a total of 224 MiG-21 aircraft. From September 1963 the 19th Fighter Regiment of the Air Force received 12 MiG-21F-13s. Later some of these aircraft were converted for reconnaissance as MiG-21F-13Rs, which were submitted to the 26th Reconnaissance Regiment in 1988. In January 1965 the 18th Fighter Regiment received a squadron of 12 MiG-21PFs, some of which also were converted and used as reconnaissance aircraft (MiG-oboznachevnieto 21PFR). The 26 Regiment reconnaissance aircraft from this squadron were removed from service in 1991, the 15 Fighter Regiment in 1965 received another 12 MiG-21PF fighters and in 1977–1978 operated another 36 refurbished aircraft. This unit received two more aircraft in 1984 and operated them until 1992.

For reconnaissance, a regiment received 26 specialized reconnaissance MiG-21Rs in 1962, and in 1969–1970, 19 Fighter Aviation Regiment received 15 MiG-21m aircraft, which operated in 21 Fighter Aviation Regiment and were removed from active service in 1990. An additional 12 MiG-21MF fighters were received in 1974–1975, with a reconnaissance version of the MiG-21MFR provided to the 26th Reconnaissance Regiment and used until 2000, when removed from active service.

From 1983 to 1990, the Bulgaria Air Force received 72 MiG-21bis. Of these, 30 (six new and renovated) are under option with ACS and provided to the 19th Fighter Regiment; the rest are equipped with the "Lazur". This batch was taken out of service in 2000.

Besides fighters, the Air Force has received 39 MiG-21U trainers (one in 1966), five MiG-21US in 1969–1970 and 27 MiG-21UM (new) during 1974–1980, another six refurbished ex-Soviet examples in 1990. In 1982, three MiG-21UM trainers were sold to Cambodia and in 1994 another 10 examples. MiG-21UMs were also sold to India. Other training aircraft were removed from active service in 2000. A total of 38 aircraft were lost in the period 1963–2000.

The last flight of a [[Bulgarian Air Force]] MiG-21 took off from [[Graf Ignatievo Air Base]] on 31 December 2015. On 18 December 2015, there was an official ceremony for the retirement of the type from active duty.<ref>Dr Sēan Wilson/Prime Images (2016): ''Bułgarskie "Mieczniki" odchodzą'', "Lotnictwo" Nr 2/2016, p.16-17 (in Polish)</ref>

===Known MiG-21 aces===
[[File:MiG-21 in US service.jpg|thumb|U.S. Air Force MiG-21 with American markings used for training of American pilots in flight]]
Several pilots have attained [[Flying ace|ace status]] (five or more aerial victories/kills) while flying the MiG-21. [[Nguyễn Văn Cốc]] of the VPAF, who scored nine kills in MiG-21s is regarded as the most successful.<ref name="NV Aces">[http://aces.safarikov.org/victories/vietnam.html "North Vietnamese Aces."] {{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''AcePilots.com.'' Retrieved: 1 December 2010.</ref> Twelve other VPAF pilots were credited with five or more aerial victories while flying the MiG-21: [[Phạm Thanh Ngân]],<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> [[Nguyễn Hồng Nhị]] and [[Mai Văn Cường]] (both eight kills); [[Đặng Ngọc Ngự]]<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> (seven kills), [[Vũ Ngọc Đỉnh]],<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> [[Nguyễn Ngọc Độ]],<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> [[Nguyễn Nhật Chiêu]],<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> [[Lê Thanh Đạo]],<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> [[Nguyễn Đăng Kỉnh]],<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> [[Nguyễn Đức Soát]],<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> and [[Nguyễn Tiến Sâm]]<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> (six kills each), and [[Nguyễn Văn Nghĩa]]<ref name="Gordon 2008" /> (five kills).

Additionally, three [[Syrian]] pilots are known to have attained ace status while flying the MiG-21. Syrian airmen: M. Mansour<ref name="ACIG Syria">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130710030823/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_272.shtml "Syrian Air-to-Air Victories since 1948."]}} ''acig.org.'' Retrieved: 1 December 2010.</ref> recorded five solo kills (with one additional probable), B. Hamshu<ref name="ACIG Syria" /> scored five solo kills, and A. el-Gar<ref name="ACIG Syria" /> tallied four solo and one shared kill, all three during the 1973–1974 engagements against Israel.

Due to the incomplete nature of available records, there are several pilots who have unconfirmed aerial victories (probable kills), which when confirmed would award them "Ace" Status: S. A. Razak<ref name="ACIG Iraq">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130710030823/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_272.shtml "Iraqi Air-to-Air Victories since 1967."]}} ''ACIG.''Retrieved: 1 December 2010.</ref> of the Iraqi Air Force with four known kills scored during the [[Iran–Iraq War]] (until 1991; sometimes referred to as the Persian Gulf War), A. Wafai<ref name="ACIG Egypt">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090410045546/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_271.shtml "Egyptian Air-to-Air Victories since 1948."]}} ''ACIG.'' Retrieved: 1 December 2010.</ref> of the Egyptian Air Force with four known kills against Israel.
{{For|specific information on kills scored by and against MiG-21s sorted by country|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 operators}}
{{See also|List of Syrian flying aces|List of Egyptian flying aces}}

==Variants==
{{main|List of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 variants}}

==Operators==
{{Main|List of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 operators}}

[[File:Mig21 operators in 2025.png|thumb|upright=1.35|MiG-21 operators {{legend|#0070f0|Current}} {{legend|#ff2525|Former}} {{legend|#2f8100|Captured}}]]
[[File:MiG-21UM 16178 Serbian Air Force.jpg|thumb|[[Serbian Air Force]] MiG-21UM.]]
[[File:Croatian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21UMD Lofting-1.jpg|thumb|Croatian Air Force MiG-21UMD in [[Croatian checkerboard|unique promotional paint scheme]].]]
[[File:Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis Fishbed L, Croatia - Air Force JP6757753.jpg|thumb|Croatian MiG-21bis 1996.]]
[[File:MiG-21PFM-Egypt-1982.jpg|thumb|Egyptian MiG-21PFM in 1982]]

===Current operators===
This list does not include operators of Chinese copies / licensed manufactured versions known as the [[Chengdu J-7|Chengdu J-7/F-7]].
* '''{{flag|Angola}}'''
** [[National Air Force of Angola]] – 23 in service as of 2021
* '''{{flag|Cuba}}'''
**[[Cuban Air Force|Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force]] – 11 aircraft in service as of 2023.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/2023-world-air-forces-directory/151088.article|title=World Air Forces 2023|date=1 January 2023}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Mali}}'''
** [[Malian Air Force]] – 9 aircraft in service as of December 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/2024-world-air-forces-directory/156008.article|title=World Air Forces 2024|date=20 December 2023|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Mozambique}}'''
** [[Mozambique Air Force]] – 8 aircraft, comprising 6 MiG-21bis and 2 MiG-21UM Trainers are in service as of 2023.<ref name="auto"/>
* '''{{flag|North Korea}}'''
** [[Korean People's Air Force]] – 26 in service as of 2023.<ref name="auto"/>
* '''{{flag|Sudan}}'''
** [[Sudanese Air Force]] – 4 in service as of 2023.<ref name="auto"/>
* {{flag|Yemen}}
** [[Yemeni Air Force]] - 19 in service as of 2023.<ref name="auto"/>

===Former operators===
[[File:MiG-21 Bulgarian Air Force.jpg|thumb|A Bulgarian MiG-21 taxis at [[Graf Ignatievo Air Base]], Bulgaria during a bilateral exercise between the U.S. and [[Bulgarian Air Force]].]]
[[File:Bulgarian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis Lofting-6.jpg|thumb|[[Bulgarian Air Force]] MiG-21UB.]]

[[File:Czechoslovak Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21R Lofting-5.jpg|thumb|[[Czechoslovak Air Force]] MiG-21R.]]
[[File:MiG-21.UM.9292.Radom.AirShow.2002.jpg|thumb|Two-seat [[Polish Air Force]] MiG-21UM with 3rd Tactical Squadron markings]]
[[File:Phased out aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force (21).png|thumb|[[Bangladesh Air Force]] MiG-21UBM.]]
[[File:Derelict Malagasy MIG 21's (32606236945).jpg|thumb|Derelict [[Malagasy Air Force|Malagasy]] MiG-21UMs.]]
[[File:MiG-21U (MK-103) Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseo 1.JPG|thumb|MiG-21U (MK-103) in the Aviation Museum of [[Central Finland]].]]
[[File:ArmedForcesAcademy11Slovakia13.JPG|thumb|[[Slovak Air Force]] MiG-21MA on display in [[Liptovský Mikuláš]], 2011.]]
* '''{{flagcountry|Islamic State of Afghanistan}}'''
** Royal Afghan Air Force − 50 MiG-21F-13s and MiG-21Us<ref name="SIPRI">{{cite web |title=Arms transfer database |url=https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferRegister |website=SIPRI |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=21 July 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|Wragg|2011|page=49}}
** [[Afghan Air Force]] − 46 MiG-21MFs and MiG-21UMs, and 40 MiG-21bis.<ref name="SIPRI" /> Several were shot down or destroyed on the ground during the [[Afghan Civil War (1992–1996)|Second Afghan Civil War]]{{sfn|Wragg|2011|page=49}}{{sfn|IISS|2000|page=166}}
** [[Taliban]] − About 20 MiG-21s in 2000, used in the ground attack role{{sfn|IISS|2000|page=166}}
** [[National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan]] − About 30 MiG-21s in 2000{{sfn|IISS|2000|page=166}}
* '''{{flag|Algeria}}'''
** [[Algerian Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Bangladesh}}'''
** [[Bangladesh Air Force]] – 10 Mig-21MF's and 2 Mig-21UB's were donated to [[Bangladesh]] in the 1970s by [[Soviet Union]]. Operated from 1973 and all retired in the 2000s, replaced by [[Chengdu J-7|F-7's]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-12-15 |title=Scramble |url=http://www.scramblemagazine.nl/orbats/bangladesh/overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215143240/http://www.scramblemagazine.nl/orbats/bangladesh/overview |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-12-15 |access-date=2025-05-01 }}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Belarus|1995}}'''
** [[Belarusian Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Bulgaria}}'''
** [[Bulgarian Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pan.bg/?page=view_article&section_id=4&article_id=25340|title=ФОТООКО: УНИКАЛНО АВИОШОУ ЗА 102 ГОДИНИ ВВС|website=www.pan.bg}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pan.bg/?page=view_article&section_id=49&article_id=29794|title=МиГ-21 отново във въздуха|website=www.pan.bg}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pan.bg/?page=view_article&section_id=49&article_id=30370|title=ФОТООКО: И МиГ-21бис във въздуха!|website=www.pan.bg}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Burkina Faso}}'''
** [[Burkina Faso Armed Forces|Burkina Faso Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Cambodia}}'''
** [[Royal Cambodian Air Force]] - 19 MiG-21bis and 3 MiG-21UM until all were retired in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://forms.flightglobal.com/WorldAirForces2015?product=PREM&mode=DOWNLOAD&DMDcode=FGWC4&fcid=%7B05ceef25-b72e-4bea-9a83-a7ab7d02e55a%7D_FC078_PREM_201412&fcfileext=pdf | title=World Air Forces 2015 - Download request | access-date=25 December 2014 | archive-date=19 October 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019075444/http://forms.flightglobal.com/WorldAirForces2015?product=PREM&mode=DOWNLOAD&DMDcode=FGWC4&fcid=%7B05ceef25-b72e-4bea-9a83-a7ab7d02e55a%7D_FC078_PREM_201412&fcfileext=pdf | url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|China}}'''  
** [[People's Liberation Army Air Force]] – replaced by the [[Chengdu J-7]], a license-built version of the MiG-21. In addition to MiG-21F-13s supplied by the Soviet Union, China also traded a small amount of MiG-21MFs with J-7 export variations, then developed the J-7C/D variants based on the MiG-21MF. The deal was between China and a certain Middle Eastern country.<ref name="AirForceWorld.com_China_Mig-21MF_Trade">[http://airforceworld.com/pla/english/j-7-fighter-china-mig-21.html "China Mig-21MF Trade."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110421075004/http://airforceworld.com/pla/english/j-7-fighter-china-mig-21.html |date=21 April 2011 }} ''AirForceWorld.com.'' Retrieveda; 5 November 2011.</ref> In May 2013, an official publication from Chengdu Aircraft Corporation reported that J-7 production had ceased after decades of manufacturing variations of this Chinese-made MiG-21.<ref name="AirForceWorld.com_China_J-7_end_production">[http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/english/j-7-fighter-china-mig-21.html "China stops production of J-7 fighter jets."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027122322/http://www.airforceworld.com/pla/english/j-7-fighter-china-mig-21.html |date=27 October 2018 }} ''AirForceWorld.com.'' Retrieveda; 3 June 2013.</ref>
* '''{{flag|Republic of the Congo}}'''
** [[Congolese Air Force]] – 14,<ref name="World Air Forces 1994 pg. 38">{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%202016.html|title = World Air Forces 1994 pg. 38|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 1994 |access-date=21 March 2015}}</ref> in storage<ref name="World Air Forces 2004 pg. 52">{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%202345.html|title = World Air Forces 2004 pg. 38|publisher= Flightglobal Insight |year= 1994 |access-date=21 March 2015}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Croatia}}'''
** [[Croatian Air Force]] – In November 2024, the last remaining MiG-21s (four fighters and two trainers) were retired.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoyle |first1=Craig |title=Croatian air force retires Europe's last MiG-21 fighters |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/croatian-air-force-retires-europes-last-mig-21-fighters/161024.article |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=Flight Global |date=6 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Czechoslovakia}}'''
** [[Czechoslovak People's Army#Air Force|Czechoslovak People's Air Force]] – passed on to the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
* '''{{flag|Czech Republic}}'''
** [[Czech Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|East Germany}}'''
** [[Air Forces of the National People's Army]] – passed on to Germany after reunification.
* '''{{flag|Egypt}}'''
** [[Egyptian Air Force]]<ref name="FIWAF12 p49">Hoyle ''Flight International'' 11–17 December 2012, p. 49.</ref>
* '''{{flag|Eritrea}}'''
** [[Eritrean Air Force]]<ref>[http://www.scramblemagazine.nl/orbats/eritrea/overview "Eritrea".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827041513/http://www.scramblemagazine.nl/orbats/eritrea/overview |date=27 August 2013 }} ''Scramble magazine''. Retrieved: 19 May 2013.</ref>
* '''{{flag|Ethiopia}}'''
** [[Ethiopian Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Finland}}'''
** [[Finnish Air Force]]
* '''{{GBS}}'''
** [[Guinea-Bissau Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Germany}}'''
** [[German Air Force|Luftwaffe]]<ref>[http://www.luftwaffe.de/portal/a/luftwaffe/!ut/p/c4/NYs7DsIwEAVvtOtQEJmOjyJRABWC0C2OlTg4drRaJw2Hxy54I00zevjCTKDF9SQuBvL4xNa43XsFvwJ9JEEgMwCxGdwCG6U0jMnjo_w6CyYGK8Vig7jsnkkiwxxZfCmJORdwHbaqOh3UVv1Xfev7sdEXVevztbnhPE37H-BHxRU!/#par3 "Only one machine was flying with Luftwaffe registration: To scrapping".] ''German Airforce''. Reviewed 2 February 2013.</ref>
* '''{{flag|Georgia}}'''
** [[Georgian Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Hungary}}'''
** [[Hungarian Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Indonesia}}'''
** [[Indonesian Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Iran}}'''
** [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|Iranian Air Force]] – purchased 12 ex-East German MiG-21PFMs plus four MiG-21Us for training purposes. However, only two MiG-21Us were delivered, the others being embargoed after German reunification currently have 17 [[Chengdu J-7]] for training purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kamov.net/general-aviation/iriaf-mig-29-fulcrum/|title=IRIAF MiG-29 above Teheran – Iranian Fulcrums|website=kamov.net|access-date=29 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044227/http://www.kamov.net/general-aviation/iriaf-mig-29-fulcrum/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Iraq|1991}}'''
** [[Iraqi Air Force]] – operated during [[Saddam Hussein]]'s Era.{{sfn|Cordesman|2003|pages=24−25}}
*'''{{flag|Israel}}'''
**[[Israeli Air Force]] – acquired as part of [[Operation Diamond]]. Currently in [[Israeli Air Force Museum]]{{cn|date=May 2025}}
* '''{{flag|ISIL}}'''
** [[Military of ISIL]] – captured 19 (1 operational).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29660029|title=BBC News – Islamic State 'training pilots to fly fighter jets'|work=BBC News|date=2014-10-17}}</ref> Originally three in operational condition. The [[Syrian Air Force]] claimed to have shot down two of them.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-jets-idUKKCN0IB1H220141022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220211146/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-jets-idUKKCN0IB1H220141022|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 December 2015|title=Syria says shoots down two of three Islamic State jets|work=Reuters|date=22 October 2014|access-date=22 October 2014}}</ref> Other airframes are in various states of disrepair and some of them were being overhauled at the time of their capture.
* '''{{flag|India}}'''
** [[Indian Air Force]] – retired from operational service on 26 September 2025<ref>{{Cite web |first1=James |last1=Gray |first2=Parth |last2=Satam |date=2025-09-26 |title=Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison Retires After 62 Years in Service |url=https://theaviationist.com/2025/09/26/indian-air-force-mig-21-bison-retires/ |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=The Aviationist |language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Kyrgyzstan}}'''
** [[Air Force of Kyrgyzstan|Kyrgyzstan Air and Air Defence Force]]
* '''{{flag|Laos}}'''
** [[Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Madagascar}}'''
** [[Malagasy Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Mongolia}}'''
** [[Mongolian Air Force]]<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/world-air-forces-2013-101015.aspx "World Air Forces 2013 – Pictures & Photos on FlightGlobal Airspace."] ''Flightglobal.com'', 11 December 2012. Retrieved: 28 July 2013.</ref>
* '''{{flag|Namibia}}'''
** [[Namibian Air Force]]<ref name="Planes and Pilots Vol.12 MiG 21">PALOQUE ''The MiG 21 The Mikoyan-Gurevitch Fishbed (1955–2010)'' December 2009, p. 69.</ref>
* '''{{flag|Nigeria}}'''
** [[Nigerian Air Force]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title=Nigeria's MiG-21 Fighter Jet Force Is Up For Sale |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38059/nigerias-mig-21-fighter-jet-force-is-up-for-sale |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209194106/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/38059/nigerias-mig-21-fighter-jet-force-is-up-for-sale |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 December 2020 |website=The Drive |date=9 December 2020 |access-date=13 January 2022 }}</ref>

[[File:Polish Air Force MiG-21 over Dutch Airspace in 1999 2156 018807.jpg|thumb|right|Polish Air Force MiG-21bis in 1999.]]

* '''{{flag|Poland}}'''
** [[Polish Air Force]]
** [[Polish Naval Aviation]]
* '''{{flag|Romania}}'''
** [[Romanian Air Force]] – officially retired on 15 May 2023<ref name="lancer"/>
* '''{{flag|Russia|1991}}'''
** [[Russian Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Serbia}}'''
** [[Serbian Air Force and Air Defence]] – retired from service in May 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mod.gov.rs/eng/17410/svecani-ispracaj-legendarnog-lovca-mig-21-17410|title=Farewell to legendary fighter aircraft MiG-21 |work=Republic of Serbia|date=21 May 2021|access-date=1 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Serbia and Montenegro}}'''
** [[Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro]] – passed on to Serbia.
* '''{{flag|Slovakia}}'''
** [[Slovak Air Force]] – in 1993, with the dissolution of [[Czechoslovakia]], the Slovak Air Force obtained 13 MiG-21MAs, 36 MiG-21MFs, eight MiG-21Rs, two MiG-21USs and 11 MiG-21UMs. They were withdrawn in 2003. Some were put on display and placed in museums across the country; others were scrapped.<ref>Culak, Josef. [http://culak.blog.sme.sk/c/204730/Slovenske-vojenske-letectvo-v-roku-1993-a-dnes-v-cislach-a-obrazoch.html#ixzz26PYar1fE " (in Slovak).] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015202847/http://culak.blog.sme.sk/c/204730/Slovenske-vojenske-letectvo-v-roku-1993-a-dnes-v-cislach-a-obrazoch.html |date=15 October 2012 }} ''culak.blog.'' Retrieved: 13 September 2012.</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=December 2020}}
* '''{{flag|Somalia}}'''
** [[Somali Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Soviet Union}}''' – passed to successor states after the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]].
** [[Soviet Air Force]]
** [[Soviet Air Defence Force]]
** [[Soviet Naval Aviation]]
* '''{{flag|Syria}}'''
** [[Syrian Arab Air Force]] – 50 in service as of 2024.<ref name="World Air Forces 2024">{{cite web |last = Hoyle |first = Craig |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=98881 |title = World Air Forces 2024 |publisher= [[FlightGlobal]] |year= 2023 |access-date= 14 April 2024 }}</ref> The [[Fall of the Assad regime|Syrian government fell to rebels]] in late 2024, and the Syrian Arab Air Force was dismantled. It was re-established as [[Syrian Air Force]], but the revolution, and the Israeli air strikes that followed it, wrecked havoc in the inventory of the Air Force. In late 2025, the World Air Forces publication by [[FlightGlobal]], which tracks the aircraft inventories of world's air forces and publishes its counts annually, removed all Syrian Air Force's aircraft from their World Air Forces 2026 report. It is thus questionable if the Syrian Air Force has any flying aircraft in their inventory, and in particular, any MiG-21, as of December 2025.<ref name="World Air Forces 2026">{{cite report |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |year=2025 |title=World Air Forces 2026 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=113841 |access-date=20 December 2025 |publisher=[[FlightGlobal]] |page=4 }}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Tanzania}}'''
** [[Tanzanian Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Turkmenistan}}'''
** [[Turkmen Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Uganda}}'''
** [[Ugandan Air Force]]<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/><ref name="World Air Forces 2025">{{cite web |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=106507 |title=World Air Forces 2025 |date=1 January 2025 }}</ref>
* '''{{flagu|United States|1960}}''' – retired from [[United States Air Force]] after evaluation flights under "[[Have Doughnut]]" and [[4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron|aggressor squadron]] duty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:1253fb8a-3b45-4f68-b273-fff9b8f2f73d|title=We didn't know what 90 percent of the switches did|access-date=14 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116110640/http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A1253fb8a-3b45-4f68-b273-fff9b8f2f73d|archive-date=16 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Ukraine}}'''
** [[Ukrainian Air Force]]
* '''{{flag|Vietnam}}'''
** [[Vietnam People's Air Force]] – retired from service in November 2015, put in temporary storage while the [[Vietnam People's Air Force|Air Force]] searches for a replacement, possibly the [[Sukhoi Su-35]] or even the American [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nguyentandung.org/kqnd-viet-nam-chuan-bi-vinh-biet-tiem-kich-mig-21.html|title=KQND Việt Nam chuẩn bị vĩnh biệt tiêm kích MiG-21|last=www.nguyentandung.org|date=18 November 2015|access-date=6 February 2016|archive-date=20 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220042911/http://nguyentandung.org/kqnd-viet-nam-chuan-bi-vinh-biet-tiem-kich-mig-21.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Yugoslavia}}'''
** [[Yugoslav Air Force]] – passed on to [[Serbia and Montenegro]].
* '''{{flag|Zaire}}''' – four were sold to the Zairean government by Yugoslavia but never flew.<ref name="Congo">{{cite web|last1=Cooper|first1=Tom |last2= Pit |first2=Weinert|url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_190.shtml|title=Zaire/DR Congo since 1980|website=ACIG|date= 2 September 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217082412/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_190.shtml |url-status=usurped|archive-date=17 February 2014}}</ref>
* '''{{flag|Zambia}}'''
** [[Zambian Air Force]]<ref name="FIWAF18 p60">Hoyle ''Flight International'' 4–10 December 2018, p. 60.</ref><ref name="World Air Forces 2025"/>

===Civilian operators===
According to the [[Federal Aviation Administration|United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)]], there were 44 privately owned MiG-21s in the U.S. in 2012.<ref>[http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Inquiry.aspx "MiG-21 in U.S."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402052315/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/acftref_inquiry.aspx |date=2 April 2015 }} ''FAA Registry.'' Retrieved: 13 September 2012.</ref>

By 2013, [[Draken International]] had acquired 30 MiG-21bis/UM aircraft, mostly from Poland.<ref>''Informacje'' "RAPORT Wojsko Technika Obronność" Nr. 11/2013, p.76 (in Polish)</ref> In 2017, it operated 30 MiGs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drakenintl.com/|title=Draken International - Draken International|website=www.drakenintl.com|access-date=24 October 2017|archive-date=27 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027031217/http://www.drakenintl.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Use as suborbital space launch platform===
In 2012, Premier Space Systems in Hillsboro, Oregon, US, conducted flight tests for NanoLaunch, a project to launch suborbital [[sounding rocket]]s from MiG-21s flying over the [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref name="Vintage">[http://www.citizensinspace.org/2012/03/vintage-fighters-return-as-launch-platforms "Vintage fighters return as launch platforms."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702085702/http://www.citizensinspace.org/2012/03/vintage-fighters-return-as-launch-platforms |date=2 July 2017 }} ''citizensinspace.org,'' March 2012. Retrieved: 13 September 2012.</ref> The company was dissolved in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_or/69424092 |title=Premier Space Systems, Inc. |website=opencorporates |access-date=22 January 2023}}</ref>

== Aircraft on display ==
* MiG-21PF at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] in Dayton, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195970/mikoyan-gurevich-mig-21pf-fishbed-d | title=Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PF "Fishbed-D" | work=National Museum of the United States Air Force™ }}</ref>
* MiG-21PF at the [[Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum|Commemorative Air Force Museum]] in Mesa, Arizona.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pimaair.org/museum-aircraft/mig-21pf_2/|title=MiG-21PF_2|website=Pima Air & Space}}</ref>
* MiG-21bis at the [[San Diego Air & Space Museum]] in San Diego, California.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sandiegoairandspace.org/collection/item/mikoyan-gurevich-mig-21|title=San Diego Air & Space Museum - Historical Balboa Park, San Diego|website=sandiegoairandspace.org}}</ref>
* MiG-21F-13 at the [[Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]] in Chantilly, Virginia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/mikoyan-gurevich-mig-21f-13-fishbed-c/nasm_A19930354000|title=Mikoyan-Gurevich MIG 21F-13 FISHBED-C &#124; National Air and Space Museum|website=airandspace.si.edu}}</ref>
* MiG-21F-13 at [[Nellis Air Force Base]] in [[North Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Serial 23934 |url=https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=23934 |website=Aerial Visuals Airplane Dossier}}</ref>
* MiG-21MF at the [[National Air Force Museum of Canada]] in [[Trenton, Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://airforcemuseum.ca/aircraft/mig-21/ |title=Miyokan-Gurevich-21 (MiG-21)}}</ref>
* MiG-21R at the [[Mémorial de Caen]] in [[France]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=L'équilibre de la Terreur - Mémorial de Caen |url=https://www.memorial-caen.fr/le-musee/la-guerre-froide/lequilibre-de-la-terreur/ |website=memorial-caen.fr}}</ref>
* MiG-21MF at the [[Aviodrome]] in [[the Netherlands]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aviodrome Lelystad|url=https://www.aviodrome.nl/collectie/mikoyan-gurevich-mig-21 |website=www.aviodrome.nl }}</ref>
* MiG-21PF in central [[Bishkek]], [[Kyrgyzstan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Evendo |url=https://evendo.com/locations/kyrgyzstan/bishkek/landmark/mig-21}}</ref>
At Four Extreme Corners of [[India]]
*Northern most point, MiG-21M at the [[Kargil War Memorial]], [[Dras|Dras]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=MiG-21M at Kargil War Memorial|url=https://www.warbirds.in/jak/ladakh/mig-21m-at-kargil-war-memorial}}</ref>
*Southern most point, MiG-21UM [U455] at [[C. V. Raman]] Park, [[Nagercoil]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=MiG-21UM [U455] at Nagarcoil City Park|url=https://www.warbirds.in/tamilnadu/nagercoil-mig-u455}}</ref>
*Eastern most point, MiG-21U [U453] at [[Sainik School, Imphal]], [[Manipur]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sainik School Imphal’s MiG-21U [U453]|url=https://www.warbirds.in/manipur/sainik-school-imphal-mig-21u-u453/}}</ref>
*Western most point, MiG-21 Bison [CU2226] at [[Jaisalmer Airport|Jaisalmer AFS]] <ref>{{Cite web|title=MiG-21 Bison CU2226 at Jaisalmer AFS|url=https://www.warbirds.in/rajasthan/jaisalmer/afs-mig21-bison-cu2226/}}</ref>

==Specifications (MiG-21bis)==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''Jane's all the world's aircraft, 1992–93'' <ref name=JAWA92-93>{{cite book |title=Jane's all the world's aircraft, 1992–93 |date=1992 |editor1-last=Lambert |editor1-first=Mark |editor2-last=Munson |editor2-first=Kenneth |editor3-last=Taylor |editor3-first=Michael J.H. |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulson, Surrey, UK |isbn=978-0-7106-0987-8 |edition=83rd|pages=214–216}}</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|length m=14.7
|length note=excluding pitot boom
|span m=7.154
|span note=
|height m=4.1
|height note=
|wing area sqm=23
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil='''root:''' TsAGI S-12 (4.2%); '''tip:''' TsAGI S-12 (5%)<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=8725
|gross weight note=with two [[R-3S]] missiles
|max takeoff weight kg=8800
|max takeoff weight note=unprepared or metal planking runway
::::{{cvt|9800|kg|0}} paved runway with standard wheels and tyres
::::{{cvt|10400|kg|0}} paved runway with larger wheels and tyres
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Tumansky R-25-300]]
|eng1 type=afterburning turbojet
|eng1 kn=40.18
|eng1 note=
|eng1 kn-ab=69.58
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=2175
|max speed note= / M2.05 at {{cvt|13000|m|ft}}
::::{{cvt|1300|km/h|mph kn}} / M1.06 at sea level
* '''Landing speed:''' {{cvt|250|km/h|mph kn}}
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=660
|range note=clean at {{cvt|11000|m}}
::::{{cvt|604|km|mi nmi}} at {{cvt|11000|m}} with two [[R-3S]] missiles
::::{{cvt|793|km|mi nmi}} at {{cvt|10000|m}} with two [[R-3S]] missiles and {{cvt|800|L|USgal impgal}} [[drop-tank]]
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=17500
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude={{cvt|17000|m}} in 8 minutes 30 seconds
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight= 0.76

|more performance=
* '''Take-off run:''' {{cvt|830|m}}
* '''Landing run with SPS and brake parachute:''' {{cvt|550|m}}
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=1 × internal [[23×115mm|23 mm]] [[Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23]]L [[autocannon]] with 200 rounds
|hardpoints=5 (4 underwing + 1 ventral, reserved for fuel droptanks)
|hardpoint capacity=
|hardpoint bombs= 2 × 500 kg (1,100 lb) and 2 × 250 kg bombs
|hardpoint rockets=4 × [[S-24 rocket|S-24]] ''or'' 4× [[UB-16 (rocket pod)|UB-16-57]] rocket pods (4×16 57mm rockets)
|hardpoint missiles=&nbsp;
::*[[Air-to-air missile]]s:
::** [[K-13 (missile)|K-13]]
::** [[K-5 (missile)|R-55]]
::** [[R-60 (missile)|R-60]]
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent|
|see also=
* {{annotated link|Operation Bolo}}
|related=
* [[Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-8]]
* [[Chengdu J-7]]
|similar aircraft=<!-- aircraft that are of similar Role, Era, and Capability to this design: -->
* {{lwc|Dassault Mirage III}}
* {{lwc|English Electric Lightning}}
* {{lwc|Lockheed F-104 Starfighter}}
* {{lwc|McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II}}
* {{lwc|Northrop F-5}}
* {{lwc|Saab 35 Draken}}
|sequence=
|lists=
* [[List of Iranian aerial victories during the Iran–Iraq war]]
* [[List of Iraqi aerial victories during the Iran–Iraq war]]
* [[List of military aircraft of the Soviet Union and the CIS]]
* [[List of fighter aircraft]]
}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=N}}

===Citations===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
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}}
*{{cite book
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}}
*{{cite book
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}}
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 | archive-date = 9 February 2010
 | access-date = 16 July 2015
}}
*{{cite book
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}}
*{{cite book
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}}
*{{cite book
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}}
*{{cite book
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}}
*{{cite book
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 | isbn = 978-1-85780-257-3
}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Herzog
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}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Hobson
 | first = Chris
 | title = Vietnam Air Losses: United States Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps Fixed-Wing Aircraft Losses in Southeast Asia 1961–1973
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}}
*{{cite journal
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 | issn = 0015-3710
}}
*{{cite journal
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 | issn = 0015-3710
}}
*{{cite journal
 | last = Hoyle
 | first = Craig
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 | issn = 0015-3710
}}
*{{cite book
 | author = International Institute for Strategic Studies
 | title = The Military Balance 2000–2001
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}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Michel
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}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Michel
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}}
*{{cite magazine
 | last = Mormillo
 | first = Frank B.
 | title = $50 a Minute!: San Diego's Thirsty MiG-21
 | magazine = Air Enthusiast
 | date = July–August 2002
 | issue = 100
 | pages = 76–79
 | issn = 0143-5450
}}
*{{cite book
 | last1 = Nicolle
 | first1 = David
 | last2 = Cooper
 | first2 = Tom
 | title = Arab MiG-19 and MiG-21 Units in Combat
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 | volume = 44
 | publisher = Osprey Publishing Limited
 | location = Oxford, UK
 | year = 2004
 | isbn = 978-1-84176-655-3
}}
*{{cite journal
 | title = Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation
 | journal = Air Enthusiast Quarterly
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 | issn = 0143-5450
}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Pollack
 | first = Kenneth M.
 | title = Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness, 1948–1991
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 | location = London
 | year = 2004
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}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Toperczer
 | first = István
 | title = MiG-17 and MiG-19 Units of the Vietnam War
 | series = Osprey Combat Aircraft
 | volume = 25
 | publisher = Osprey Publishing Limited
 | location = Oxford, UK
 | year = 2001
 | isbn = 978-1-84176-162-6
}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Toperczer
 | first = István
 | title = MiG-21 Units of the Vietnam War
 | series = Osprey Combat Aircraft
 | volume = 29
 | publisher = Osprey Publishing Limited
 | location = Oxford, UK
 | year = 2001
 | isbn = 1-84176-263-6
}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Toperczer
 | first = István
 | title = MiG Aces of the Vietnam War
 | publisher = Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
 | year = 2015
 | isbn = 978-0-7643-4895-2
}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Wilson
 | first = Stewart
 | title = Combat Aircraft since 1945
 | publisher = Aerospace Publications
 | location = Fyshwick, Australia
 | year = 2000
 | isbn = 1-875671-50-1
}}
*{{cite book
 | last = Wragg
 | first = David
 | title = The World Air Power Guide
 | publisher = Casemate Publishers
 | year = 2011
 | isbn = 978-1-84468-784-8
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=s2PNDwAAQBAJ
}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21}}
* [http://www.mig-21.de/ MiG-21.de]
* [http://www.warfare.ru/?lang=&catid=255&linkid=1597 MiG-21 Fishbed from Russian Military Analysis]
* [http://www.warbirdalley.com/mig21.htm Warbird Alley: MiG-21 page – Information about privately owned MiG-21s]

{{MiG-21 family}}
{{Mikoyan aircraft}}
{{Vought aircraft}}
{{USAF fighters}}
{{Czech fighters}}
{{YAF aircraft}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-21}}
[[Category:Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21| ]]
[[Category:Mikoyan aircraft|MiG-021]]
[[Category:1950s Soviet fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]]
[[Category:Delta-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1955]]
[[Category:Supersonic aircraft]]
[[Category:Second-generation jet fighters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]