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
| range | 1,470 km |
|---|---|
| engine | 1x Tumansky R-25-300 turbojet |
| length | 15.76 m |
| armament | 1x 23mm GSh-23L, R-3S and R-60 AAMs, unguided rockets and bombs |
| wingspan | 7.15 m |
| max_speed | Mach 2.05 |
| service_ceiling | 17,800 m |
Operators
- North Korea
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