The third generation of MiG-21s was developed based on experience gained from the Vietnam War and the Arab-Israeli War, which demonstrated the need to increase the aircraft’s range and weapons payload. The first to appear was the MiG-21R reconnaissance aircraft, with an enlarged fuselage spine housing an additional 340-litre fuel tank and a second pair of underwing pylons adapted for carrying external tanks.
In 1965, the fighter version MiG-21S was developed with a fuel tank in the enlarged spine and four underwing hardpoints adapted for carrying weapons and additional fuel tanks, inherited from the R version. The aircraft was equipped with a new RP-22 radar and AS-PFD gunsight.
The next version was the MiG-21SM, which differed from the S by a new R-13-300 engine type and a Gsz-23 cannon permanently installed in the fuselage. The export version, with the engine and RP-22 radar from the SM version, produced between 1970 and 1975, bore the designation MiG-21MF. Between 1972 and 1975, Poland purchased 120 MiG-21MF aircraft. They were operated until 2002.
The MiG-21MF with the given side number was transferred in 1996 by the 10th Fighter Aviation Regiment in Lask.
| Wingspan | 7.15 m |
| Length | 12.28 m |
| Takeoff weight | 9400 kg |
| Maximum speed | 2230 km/h |
| Ceiling | 18200 m |
| Range | 1420 kg |
| Armament | Gsz-23 cannon, 4 R-3S, R-3R or R-60 missiles, rocket launchers or bombs |
| Engine | turbojet R-11F2S-300 with thrust of 6175 kG |
