‘Flying coffin’, as was the Russian fighter used by India with 400 accidents

Soviet in the 1950s, the MiG-21 was the most produced jet in the world. Developed by Mikoyan-Gurevich during the Cold War, the MiG-21 was designed to be simple, fast and easy to maintain. With more than 11 thousand units produced, it is recognized by Guinness World Records as the most manufactured military jet in history.

At 14.7 meters long, the MiG-21 reached speeds of up to 2,175 km/h, something called “Mach 2“, a mark given for when twice the speed of sound is reached. It was equipped with a 23 mm cannon and could carry missiles, bombs and rockets.

The compact design made it highly maneuverable. In this regard, the MiG-21 stood out even in the face of technologically superior fighters, such as the American F-4 Phantom II.

In addition to the Soviet Union, India manufactured 657 units under license, and China produced around 2,400 versions known as the Chengdu J-7. In operation for almost 60 years, the MiG-21 participated in combat in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

From national pride to the “flying coffin”

“The legacy of the MiG-21 is undeniable. It was a capable, if flawed, fighter that formed the backbone of the Indian Air Force for decades,” former air marshal Raghunath Nambiar told AFP. He recalled that the jet played a decisive role in the 1971 war, when MiG-21 attacks accelerated the Indian victory and the creation of Bangladesh.