page_title: List of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 variants
section_title: Modernisation – generation three (1968–1972)
hierarchical_section_title: List of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 variants / Variants / Modernisation – generation three (1968–1972)
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Mig 21 fishbed H/J version S, R, SMT, MF
context_page_description: This is a list of variants and specifications for variants of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, which differed considerably between models.
context_section_description: MiG-21M (1968; Izdeliye 96; NATO "Fishbed-J")
  M = Modernizirovannyy ("Modernised")
  Export variant of the MiG-21S with two major differences: the RP-22 radar of the MiG-21S was substituted with the older RP-21MA radar, and featured a built-in GSh-23L cannon instead of a cannon pod. In the air-to-air role it could only carry the R-3S IR-seeking AAM on its four pylons, as the SARH variant, the R-3R, was not cleared for export. The type was also licence-built in India, the first Indian-built example being delivered in February 1973.
  MiG-21M (Izdeliye 96A, NATO "Fishbed-J")
  Export variant for Warsaw Pact countries.
  MiG-21MA (Izdeliye 96A, NATO "Fishbed-J")
  The Czechoslovak Air Force redesignated its MiG-21Ms that had been re-engined with the Tumanskiy R13-300 engine as "MiG-21MA," keeping the RP-21MA radar. Some of these were later re-equipped with the RP-22 radar – bringing it to MiG-21MF standard – and were then redesignated "MiG-21MF."
  MiG-21I (1968; Izdeliye 21-11; "Analog")
  I = Imitator ("Simulator")
  Testbed for the wing design of the Tu-144 (NATO "Charger") supersonic transport.
  MiG-21K (1969; proposal)
  This was a proposed variant of the MiG-21 for a dedicated ground attack role; the Mikoyan proposal was withdrawn before phase two of the competition, which was eventually won by the Su-25.
  MiG-21Sh (1969; "Izdeliye 21-32"; project)
  Sh = Shturmovik
  This was another ground-attack project that was a "fusion" of the MiG-21 and the MiG-27; it was referred to alternatively as MiG-21Sh and MiG-27Sh. Cancelled due to the MiG-23/27 offering higher performance.
  MiG-21SM (1969; Izdeliye 15/95M; NATO "Fishbed-J")
  S = Sapfir (referring to the Sapfir-21/RP-22 radar).
  M = Modernizirovannyy ("Modernised")
  Upgrade of the MiG-21S using the R13-300 engine and with a built-in GSh-23L cannon, as well as a considerably updated avionics package.
  MiG-21MF (1970; Izdeliye 96F; NATO "Fishbed-J")
  M = Modernizirovannyy ("Modernised"), F = Forsirovannyy ("Uprated [engine]")
  Export version of the MiG-21SM, with RP-22 radar and R13-300 turbojet. The choice of weapons loads was increased with the addition of the R-60 (NATO: AA-8 "Aphid") and later the R-60M IR-seeking AAM. These were also licence-built in India by HAL as the Type 88.
  MiG-21MFR (1995)
  R = Razuznavatelen ("Reconnaissance")
  Bulgarian local designation for MiG-21MF modified to carry recce pods after the retirement of the MiG-21F-13R.
  MiG-21MF-75
  Unofficial designation used in Bulgaria, East Germany, Romania and Czechoslovakia to refer to MiG-21MF aircraft delivered with cockpit instrumentation identical to that in the MiG-21bis (the "75" refers to "1975", the year in which these entered production.)
  MiG-21MFN
  Czech Air Force designation for MiG-21MF upgraded with NATO standard avionics.
  MiG-21DF (1969)
  D = Dal'nomer ("Rangefinder"), F = Forsirovannyy ("Uprated")
  A production MiG-21 (S or SM) refitted with R13F2-300 engine and Kvant radar rangefinder for test purposes. Though testing revealed an improvement in manoeuvrability, this variant was not put into production.
  MiG-21SMF (1970)
  S = Sapfir (referring to the Sapfir-21/RP-22 radar), M = Modernizirovannyy ("Modernised"), F = Forsirovannyy ("Uprated [engine]")
  A testbed aircraft – a stock MiG-21SM refitted with the uprated R13F2-300 turbojet. Though a prototype for what would have been a new model, it never entered production.
  MiG-21MT (1971; Izdeliye 96T; NATO "Fishbed-J")
  M = Modernizirovannyy ("Modernised"), T = Toplivo ("Fuel," referring to increased fuel capacity)
  This was a MiG-21MF with increased fuel capacity. Though designed for export, only 15 were built and none were exported.
  MiG-21SMT (1971; Izdeliye 50; NATO "Fishbed-K")
  S = Sapfir (referring to the Sapfir-21/RP-22 radar), M = Modernizirovannyy ("Modernised"), T = Toplivo ("Fuel," referring to increased fuel capacity)
  A development of the MiG-21SM with increased fuel capacity.  This variant is easily spotted thanks to its larger spine, which made it unpopular with pilots as it was much harder to fly.
  MiG-21ST (Izdeliye 50)
  S = Sapfir (referring to the Sapfir-21/RP-22 radar),
caption: Mig 21 fishbed H/J
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