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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.
About 1000 MiG-21 are still in service all around the world. Most of MiG-21 user countries cannot afford new fighter
aircraft. It is no wonder that at least three major upgrade programmes are running.
The MiG-21-93 of RAC MiG / SOKOL (Russia), the MiG-21 LanceR
of Aerostar / Elbit (Romania / Israel)
and the MiG-21 2000 of Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) were on display at
many recent airshows and aviation fairs. And every upgrade programme has found at least one customer:
| Elbit / Aerostar MiG-21 LanceR |
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The most successful upgrade programme for the MiG-21 was presented at all major airshows - seen here at Paris
Le Bourget 1997.
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Despite its Romanian roundels this aircraft never served with the Romanian Air Force:
MiG-21bis based prototype of LanceR III programme at
Aerosalon Le Bourget 1999.
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| RAC MiG / SOKOL MiG-21-93 |
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The Indian MiG-21bis UPG is very close to MiG-21-93 standard.
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Looking for customers in Arabia:
MiG-21-93 at Dubai Airshow 1999.
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| Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) MiG-21 2000 |
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Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) uses its experience with war prizes of Soviet origin for
the upgrade business. A comprehensive upgrade package for the MiG-21 is offered while it seems that the new single
piece windshield was fitted only to the company demonstrator IAI-304 which is shown here.
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Although upgraded by AEROSTAR in Romania the equipment of the Croatian MiG-21bis
and MiG-21UMD is different from LanceR standard. Only navigation und communication systems were subject to upgrade.
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The Czech upgrade programme carried out by LOK Kbely comprised of 10
MiG-21MF which are now designated MiG-21MFN (N = NATO). Externally the modernized aircraft can be distinguished by
additional antennas and the new grey colour.
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OdesAviaRemServis from Ukraine has recognized MiG-21's upgrade potential and offers a
package of measures called MiG-21MU. Nothing is known about the customers.
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Core of MiG-21-93 programme is the Kopyo radar made by Phazotron.
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The extensive modifications of the MiG-21 LanceR can be seen also from outside: Head-Up-Display and fairing for
additional wiring.
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Also LanceR III differs in numerous modifications from the basic type.
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The fighter version MiG-21 LanceR C is equipped with two multifunction displays, ...
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... while in the cockpit of the fighter bomber LanceR A only one of these devices can be found.
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The Romanian LanceR can be fitted among others with the Rafael Litening targeting pod, ...
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... the ARP photo reconnaissance pod ...
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... or an ECM pod.
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Externally the upgraded Croatian MiG-21 can be distinguished by antennas at fin and underneath the fuselage.
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New navigation and communication devices can be seen in the cockpit of both the MiG-21UMD ...
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... and the MiG-21MFN.
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The new dimension: on these rails ...
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... the MiG-21-93 carries R-73 and R-77 air-to-air missiles.
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The Romanian MiG-21 Lancers were fitted with new launchers ...
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... and can carry both Russian and Western weapons, in this case R-73 and Python 3.
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The complete weaponry of LanceR C and ...
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... R-73, Magic 2 und Python 3 air-to-air missiles (top from left to right) in detail.
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Armament of LanceR A comprises among others ...
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... infrared and laser guided bombs Elbit Opher (top) and IAI (MBT) Griffin (bottom) as well as rocket pods UB-16.
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Behind the laser target illuminator can be seen an ARP photo reconnaissance pod, aside lies a R-73.
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