MiG-21 LanceR (Romania)
Romania's Israeli-upgraded MiG-21 — a glass cockpit, Western weapons and NATO compatibility in a 1970s airframe · First flight 1995 · Retired 2023
In 1995–2002 Elbit Systems of Israel and Aerostar of Bacău upgraded 111 Romanian MiG-21s: 71 as the LanceR A for ground attack, 14 two-seat UMs as the LanceR B, and 26 as the LanceR C for air defence. The single-seaters were based on MiG-21MF and MF-75 airframes. The first LanceR flew from Bacău in August 1995.
The LanceR C was the most capable version, with an Elta EL/M-2032 pulse-Doppler radar in place of the Soviet set, a cockpit with multifunction displays, the DASH helmet-mounted sight and Western weapons such as the Python 3 and Magic 2 missiles. The upgrade was designed to make the fleet compatible with NATO systems.
As the airframes aged the fleet shrank to about 36 aircraft. Romania officially retired the LanceR on 15 May 2023 with ceremonies at its air bases, replacing it with second-hand F-16s.
Other MiG-21 variants
◎ MIKOYAN-GUREVICH
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F-13 "Fishbed-C"
◎ MIKOYAN-GUREVICH
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PF / PFM "Fishbed-D/F"
◎ CHENGDU
Chengdu J-7 / F-7
◎ MIKOYAN-GUREVICH
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF "Fishbed-J"
◎ MIKOYAN-GUREVICH
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21UM "Mongol-B"
◎ MIKOYAN-GUREVICH