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).

See Also

Related Development

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

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• Dassault Mirage III
• Dassault Mirage F1
• English Electric Lightning
• Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
  • Aeritalia F-104S Starfighter
  • Canadair CF-104 Starfighter
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  • Canadair CF-5 Freedom Fighter
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