Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed

Last updated: February 18, 2026

✈️ Aircraft Specifications

Length14.7 m (48.2 ft)
Max Speed (Mach)2.05
Max Speed (km/h)2,175 km/h
MiG-21 Fishbed supersonic fighter aircraft

MiG-21 Fishbed

The most-produced supersonic jet aircraft in aviation history with over 11,496 built. The MiG-21 served with over 60 nations and remains in limited service today — more than 65 years after its first flight.

🌍 Universal Fighter

Simple, cheap, and deadly effective, the MiG-21 was the backbone of Soviet-allied air forces worldwide. It saw combat in Vietnam, the Middle East, India-Pakistan wars, and numerous African conflicts. North Vietnamese pilots achieved multiple aces flying MiG-21s against American F-4 Phantoms.

📋 Specifications

  • Max Speed: Mach 2.05 (2,175 km/h)
  • Range: 1,580 km
  • Engine: 1x Tumansky R-25-300 turbojet
  • First Flight: 1956
  • Built: 11,496
  • Country: Soviet Union

🎬 Video

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast is the MiG-21?

The MiG-21 has a top speed of Mach 2.05 (1,351 mph / 2,175 km/h).

How many countries have used the MiG-21?

Over 60 countries — more than any other supersonic aircraft. It has been in virtually every conflict since Vietnam.

How many MiG-21s were built?

Over 11,496 — the most-produced supersonic aircraft in history.

Is the MiG-21 still in service?

Yes. Several countries still operate upgraded variants, though most have retired it.

References & Sources

Related Aircraft

✈️
Sean

Aviation enthusiast and curator of the Supersonic Aircraft Encyclopedia. Sean has been passionate about different kinds of flight since he was little and maintains detailed specs and history for every aircraft featured on this site.

EN
English 繁體中文 简体中文 日本語 한국어 Français Deutsch Español Русский العربية Português
Scroll to Top