Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-21; NATO reporting name: Fishbed) is a supersonic jet fighter and interceptor aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek (English: pencil) by Polish pilots due to the shape of its fuselage.

Approximately sixty countries over four continents have flown the MiG-21, and it still serves many nations six decades after its maiden flight. It made aviation records, became 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 a combat aircraft (now exceeded by both the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon).

Related Development

 * Chengdu J-7
 * CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder
 * Guizhou JL-9
 * Sukhoi Su-9

Comparable Aircraft

 * Dassault Mirage III
 * Dassault Mirage F1
 * English Electric Lightning
 * Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
 * Aeritalia F-104S Starfighter
 * Canadair CF-104 Starfighter
 * Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter
 * Canadair CF-5 Freedom Fighter
 * Saab 35 Draken