Notice: This page is not subject to any update. For updated information please refer to the German pages of this website or the publications by the author.

Due to the long time of production and the large numbers built there are many differences between the several MiG-21 versions. Despite a high degree of standardization the early MiG-21 has not much in common with the final version MiG-21bis. During more than 20 years of production only the single-seaters were delivered with two types of shock cones, two configurations of canopies and ejection seats, four basic variants of the dorsal spine, three types of fins, three generations of engines, five different gun configurations and three wing designs. Furthermore modifications for new versions were adopted for the current production. This lead to short-lived sub versions. The lack of clear differences between some sub versions caused a lot of errors in distinction of the MiG-21 versions, even in high quality publications. That's why the author put a lot of effort in description of characteristic features of different versions.

Like the MiG-21 itself its armament shows a great variety. Weaponry of Soviet origin was supplemented in several countries by Western systems - first of all American Sidewinder and French Magic air-to-air missiles. China equipped its F-7 with copies of American and Soviet weapons. And today's upgraded versions can carry guided and unguided air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons of every kind from Russia, USA, Israel ...

Below the main technical data and flying characteristics of every MiG-21 generation (each represented by one version) are listed.

In the table below each generations of the J-7 / F-7 is represented by one version too.