MiG-21bis

This page is about the Soviet jet fighter MiG-21bis. For other versions, see MiG-21 (Family).

MiG-21bis

MiG-21SMT

MiG-23M

MiG-21bis

MiG-21SMT

MiG-23M

USSR

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.0	11.0	11.0

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:150 000

Purchase:830 000

Show in game

Description

The MiG-21bis is a rank VII Soviet jet fighter with a battle rating of 11.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "New Power".

The MiG-21bis is the ultimate Soviet development of the MiG-21. It looks roughly the same as the MiG-21SMT and MiG-21MF, both third-generation MiG-21 models with search radars, internal GSh-23 cannons, and pronounced fuselage spines. The main improvement in the MiG-21bis is a new R-25 engine with an emergency afterburner stage outputting more than 9,000 kgf of thrust in optimal conditions, granting excellent acceleration and climb rate for a single-engine fighter. The armament remains similar to the MiG-21SMT, but has the option of new R-13M1 infrared missiles similar to the AIM-9G and can carry an additional two R-60Ms for a maximum of six. Although the MiG-21bis has weak BVR capabilities and lacks the dogfight-tuned airframe of the J-7E, it can still be a powerhouse in close combat for pilots who use its strong engine power, good missile capacity, and ability to pull high AoA turns.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Drogue parachute

Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway

Max speed

at 13 000 m2 240 km/h

Turn time37 s

Max altitude16 000 m

EngineTumansky R-25-300

Type

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight10 t

The MiG-21bis has absolutely phenomenal acceleration and high-speed performance making it one of the highest-performing aircraft in the game. Firstly, the aircraft is quite fast, being able to reach 1365 km/h IAS on the deck (at low altitudes) before its wings rip - this means that it is usually capable of outrunning most enemies at its rank, such as Phantoms and the Mirage, with the exception of the F-104 Starfighters which can outrun the MiG-21bis by a small margin. Secondly, the aircraft has the fastest overall acceleration of any aircraft in the game, meaning that it can reach its top speed quickly. However, like all other MiG-21s, the MiG-21bis cannot turn well and tends to bleed speed at an alarming rate during turns. Extended dogfights should therefore be avoided, as the MiG-21bis will often end up on the losing side.

The MiG-21bis has a strong set of control surfaces including an all-moving tail, which keeps the aircraft responsive up to high speeds (>1,300 km/h). However, be aware that the aircraft has two limiting structural factors: the wings' rip speed and structural G limit. Wings will rip at 1365 km/h IAS, a speed the plane can reach relatively quickly given its phenomenal acceleration. The structural limit of 13G means stronger turns should thus be avoided as there is a risk that they will rip the aircraft's wings.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	2,177	2,142	16000	37.8	38.8	191.0	179.8	750
Upgraded	2,305	2,240		36.4	37.0	262.7	225.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
X	✓	✓	✓	X	✓

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1365	700	N/A	500	450	~12	~6

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 650	< 600	< 950	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Tumansky R-25-300		1	6,132 kg		371 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)				Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		10m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	34m fuel
1,140 kg	Afterburning axial-flow turbojet		6,852 kg	7,532 kg	8,232 kg	8,532 kg	10,000 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition	100%	WEP	10m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	34m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	4,040 kgf	7,344 kgf	1.07	0.98	0.89	0.86	0.73
Optimal	4,040 kgf (0 km/h)	9,068 kgf (1,200 km/h)	1.32	1.20	1.10	1.06	0.91

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural1 365 km/h

Gear700 km/h

• 60 mm bulletproof glass - armoured windscreen
• 10 mm steel - bulkhead behind pilot
• Engine and fuel tanks take up most of the fuselage area behind the cockpit

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB2 838 → 4 092

RB8 121 → 11 710

SB8 295 → 11 961

Total cost of modifications264 000

413 000

Talisman cost2 900

Crew training240 000

Experts830 000

Aces3 000

Research Aces1 140 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

110 / 310 / 600 %

238 / 238 / 238 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 Compressor Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 New boosters Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Wings repair Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 510 G-suit Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Engine Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470	Airframe Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Cover Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470	Flares/Chaff Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 ZB-500 Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 R-3S Research: 11 000 Cost: 17 000 430 FAB-250 Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 UB-16 Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 R-3R Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 ns23_belt_pack Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 510 FAB-500 Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 510 UB-32 Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 510 R-13M Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 510 ns23_new_gun Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 EFS Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 S-24 Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 R-60M Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)

Offensive armament

The MiG-21bis is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (250 rpg)
  • 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon + 64 x countermeasures

The 23 mm GSh-23L are adequate cannons, firing at a high rate of fire. However, the individual rounds from the cannons have a low stopping power, necessitating many hits on target to destroy them.

Suspended armament

The MiG-21bis can be outfitted with the following ordnance presets:

• Without load
• 2 x R-13M1 missiles
• 4 x R-3S missiles
• 4 x R-3R missiles
• 4 x R-13M1 missiles
• 4 x R-60M missiles
• 6 x R-60M missiles
• 64 x S-5K rockets
• 64 x S-5K rockets
• 4 x S-24 rockets
• 8 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (800 kg total)
• 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs (500 kg total)
• 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 2 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs

Custom loadout options

	1	2	3	4
100 kg OFAB-100 bombs		4	4
250 kg FAB-250M-62 bombs		1	1
500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs		1	1
ZB-500 incendiary bombs		1	1
S-5K rockets	16	16, 32	16, 32	16
S-24 rockets	1	1	1	1
R-3R missiles	1	1	1	1
R-3S missiles	1	1	1	1
R-13M1 missiles	1	1	1	1
R-60M missiles	1, 2	1	1	1, 2
Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 570 kg

Usage in battles

This plane is fairly manoeuvrable at high speeds and since it accelerates quickly and climbs extremely well, it works well as an interceptor (take off, reach around 1,000 km/h, burst climb at a 20-25 degree angle up to 6,000 or 7,000 m and fire on anything that can be sighted) but this method has some risks.

First the MiG-21bis is prone being hit by a Matra R530E or the infamous AIM-7 SARHMs (Semi Active Radar Homing Missiles) that can easily shoot the MiG-21bis down since the plane becomes a brick at higher altitudes.

And sometimes, even if the MiG-21bis succeeds in its interception objective, some enemies will fly in a different path, so they'll easily sneak up behind the MiG-21bis and take it down with missiles if it is high and slow enough.

The second way to play this plane is to fly at lower altitudes (below 2,000 m) and engage any targets that are encountered, the risk here is that the MiG-21bis is left vulnerable to high-flying enemies that, again, can easily sneak up and take the MiG-21bis down, so pay attention to the surroundings and avoid getting an IR missile shot up into the engine.

The third, and probably safest, way to play the MiG-21bis is to flank around the main fighting area. Side-climb up to around 4-5 kilometres in the air, making sure to avoid the frequented flight paths so the MiG-21bis does not appear on their radar (additionally, turn off the MiG-21bis' radar during this climb so that the enemies' radar-warning receiver does not pick up the MiG-21's radar as well). Idle around the sides until the main body of the enemy team is spotted and then begin turning towards the battlefield to begin engaging targets. As the MiG-21bis returns, keep an eye for any enemy planes that have a similar idea of flanking around. This scenario usually compose of only one enemy fighter climbing up, which a skilled MiG-21bis pilot can begin engaging in their favor if they have a height advantage. However, if two fighters appears, it is best to break off and move towards the vicinity of allies to help engage.

A more risky but rewarding playstyle is to use (2 x R-13M-1 and 4 x R-60M) or (4 x R-13M-1) and take advantage of MiG-21's huge climb rate, which in theory, is superior to even the F-4K and F-4M (FG.1 and FGR.2). Radars on most jets can scan ~15 degrees above the horizontal, and by climbing at Mach 0.90-0.95, it is possible to fly above the radar and remain undetected at BVR ranges. At high altitudes, the R-13 can be launched at 3km in a chase and even farther in a dive against lower targets. Although the MiG-21 has a substantial advantage in transonic manoeuvrability, the MiG-21's delta wings cause significant energy bleed in turns as mentioned above. Making high-speed diving attacks is certainly a valid tactic, and fighting from high altitude downwards makes situational awareness easier as most enemies will be at lower altitudes rather than in all directions. This playstyle is most suitable for principled Phantom pilots who are accustomed to maintaining a high energy state.

Enemies to beware of:

• Phantoms, particularly F-4E and EJ models: these should be the MiG-21bis' priority targets, F-4Es and F-4EJs are well-known for being extremely versatile and dangerous (even sometimes referred to as the best top tier jets in the game). These planes accelerate quickly, can wield the dangerous AIM-9J AAMs that are able to pull 20 Gs of overload and can hit targets up to 3 km of range, have access to a large amount of flares and have responsive flight controls. However, a lot of Phantom pilots are overconfident into their planes and will often jump into a dogfight with the MiG-21bis, which is a terrible idea for Phantom pilots. The motto "a slow jet is a dead jet" rings true for most situations, but the MiG-21bis has an ace up its sleeve against Phantoms: better low and high speed manoeuvrability that can sometimes match the Phantom's turn rate! So if a Phantom attempts to dogfight the MiG-21bis, take up the challenge as it'll most likely end up with the Phantom pilots losing. However, only do so if there are allies nearby or if there aren't any enemies nearby or the MiG-21bis may end up getting taken out unexpectedly.
• The Mirage IIIC and the J35D Draken: These planes are also serious foes since they out turn everything at their BR (keep in mind that the J35D Draken is more manoeuvrable than the Mirage) so dogfighting them is a death sentence. They're also able to wield deadly missiles, the Draken wields the Swedish license built AIM-9P3s known as RB24Js and the Mirage has access to the extremely effective Matra R550 Magic 1 that pulls 30 Gs and has a higher top speed than other IR guided missiles. The best thing to do against these planes is to do a zoom-climb to bleed their speed since they have a lower thrust-to-weight ratio than the MiG-21bis and then do oblique turns since they both bleed a ton of speed when turning and have a lower acceleration than the MiG-21bis does. And if they try to fire a missile at the MiG-21bis? Don't worry, pop flares, turn off afterburner, and pull hard.

Radars

The MiG-21bis is equipped with a Sapphire-21 search and tracking radar. The radar is mounted in the nose of the aircraft.

Sapphire-21 - Target Detection Radar
Maximum Detection Range	Guaranteed Detection Range	Max Azimuth Scan Angle	Max Elevation Scan Angle
30,000 m (theoretical)	20,000 m	±30°	-3°/+17°
Sapphire-21 - Target Tracking Radar
Maximum Tracking Range	Minimum Tracking Range	Azimuth Tracking Angle	Elevation Tracking Angle
20,000 m	300 m	±30°	±17°

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Impressive climb rate of 225 m/s, making this plane the second-best top-rank climber behind the F-104S and above the Phantom FGR.2 and FG.1
• Increased flight performance compared to earlier MiG-21s
• Excels against both aerial and ground targets
• Has access to flares that are fired downwards, which means that missiles can be more easily evaded
• Stunning acceleration
• Excellent energy retention
• Can wield six potent all-aspect R-60M air-to-air missiles
• Huge thrust to weight ratio

Cons:

• As all MiG-21s, it tends to bleed speed in turns, though not as much, thanks to the improved engine
• Vicious rudder lock at speeds above 700 km/h, can be frustrating when trying to get guns on target
• Pretty bad low speed manoeuvrability
• Doesn't respond well to wing damage - if a wingtip is lost, landing this plane will be very difficult, and if a wing is lost, the plane should be considered as lost

History

Devblog

By the late 1960's, the Soviet high command sought to increase the effectiveness of the MiG-21 jet fighter, especially at lower altitudes, while at the same time knowing that this could only be achieved by developing a more powerful engine for it. As a result, in 1971, the order to develop what would essentially become the MiG-21bis was issued by the Soviet high command.

As both the power plant manufacturer - Tumansky - as well as the MiG aircraft design bureau were already working on improvements, this order only officially recognized their work, and as a result, by 1972 the MiG-21bis was ready.

Unlike preceding variants, the MiG-21bis managed to strike a balance between performance and endurance. Additionally, the aircraft was fitted with an improved radar and a systems monitor, which made maintenance substantially easier. Furthermore, the maximum number of missiles the aircraft could carry was increased to six while it also received the option to carry the new R-13M air-to-air missile with increased range, higher G-loading and better seeker tracking over the preceding R-3S. Very manoeuvrable R-60M missiles can be carried as well.

The first MiG-21bis was constructed in 1972 and was adopted into service in the same year. Well over 2,200 units of the MiG-21bis would be manufactured, including licence-built versions. The MiG-21bis was one of the most widely produced variants of the aircraft and saw widespread use with numerous operators around the globe. In fact, some modernized modifications are still in combat use today.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the MiG-21bis from live.warthunder.com.

Images

• MiG-21bis Devblog Images
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Videos

The Shooting Range #228 - Metal Beasts section at 00:25 discusses the MiG-21bis.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• [Devblog] MiG-21bis: Ultimate Fishbed
• [skytamer.com] Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis "Fishbed-L" (Web Archive)
• [fas.org] MiG-21 FISHBED (Web Archive)