Mikoyan MiG-21bis Fishbed

Mikoyan MiG-21bis Fishbed

Type: Lightweight Fighter

Domain: air

Country of Origin: Russia

Manufacturer: Mikoyan (MiG)

First Deployed: 1975

Overview

North Korea operates the largest inventory of MiG-21 variants in the world — estimated at over 100 aircraft including Soviet-supplied bis variants and Chinese J-7 copies. Despite obsolescence, sheer numbers could overwhelm South Korean and US air defenses through attrition saturation tactics. North Korean pilots reportedly train for one-way suicide interception missions. The type forms the numerical backbone of the Korean People's Air Force.

Technical Specifications

range1,470 km
engine1x Tumansky R-25-300 turbojet
length15.76 m
armament1x 23mm GSh-23L, R-3S and R-60 AAMs, unguided rockets and bombs
wingspan7.15 m
max_speedMach 2.05
service_ceiling17,800 m

Operators

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