Foreign versions

People's Republic of China

Chinese copies of the MiG-21 are designated Chengdu J-7 and F-7 (for export).

Czechoslovakia

Between 1962 and 1972 the MiG-21F-13 version was manufactured under license by Aero Vodochody, in Czechoslovakia. Aero built a total of 194 planes during this period.

India

The production of the MiG-21bis under license by Hindustan Aeronautics of India lasted until 1984. Despite a series of crashes during the 1990s, which led to the aircraft acquiring the nickname "flying coffin," the Indian Air Force has decided to upgrade about 128 of the MiG-21bis in its inventory to the MiG-21 "Bison" standard. These will serve the Indian Air Force until 2015.

Israel

Israeli Aircraft Industries manufactures an upgrade package for the MiG-21 called the MiG-21-2000.[4]

Israel / Romania

A joint venture between Aerostar SA and Elbit has developed the "Lancer" upgrade package for the MiG-21, and 114 MiG-21s have been upgraded to the MiG-21 Lancer configuration for the Romanian Air Force.

Russia

Russia now offers an upgrade package to bring late-model MiG-21s up to the MiG-21-93 standard. This package provides an upgrade of the avionics suite that includes installation of the Kopyo pulse-doppler radar used by the MiG-29 (NATO reporting name 'Fulcrum'), which enables the aircraft to fire a greater range of modern weapons such as the beyond-visual-range Vympel R-77 (NATO reporting name AA-12 'Adder') air-to-air missile. The upgraded avionics also enhance the aircraft's survivability as well as its ability to engage enemy fighters. Other upgrade features include installation of a dual-screen HUD, helmet-mounted target designator, and advanced flight control systems.