Originally Posted by Astro14
Originally Posted by Nickdfresh
It seems the Bison is a separate upgrade export version of the Mig-21 used by only India so far...
So it appears. Not the 'Bis" upgrade but a follow-on to that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-21_variants
When you build 10,000 jets, and a few are built under export license, there are going to be a lot of variants...
IF you can trust Wiki on this, the Bison upgrade/export for India includes a radar capable of multi-target track and the AA-10 (Vympel R-27) Alamo missile, this is a formidable threat. The AA-10 Alamo is a very capable missile, available in several variants, including semi-active, active and a homing model.
While the MiG-21 airframe can't match the turn performance of a 4th gen fighter, it has good speed, good climb, one great turn in a fight and it is small and hard to see. Add a credible radar and late generation, long range missiles to that, and you've got a near peer to the F-16.
Hardly a laughing matter...
To echo on Astro's sentiments. The Mig-21 isn't a world beater but it's still a very capable aircraft especially when paired with an AA-10. I've seen more AA-10s during a "friendly" wing flash than I'd care to admit. Granted Astro's perspective is a bit different than mine given our differing backgrounds, to my platform just about any fighter with a gun or guided missile is a threat. We look to our fast movers to provide HVAA-P for us when things turn sideways.