Croatia is decommissioning its MiG-21 fighter jets in favor of the French Rafale, which presents an opportunity for the retired aircraft to be repurposed in a useful way rather than scrapped.
In the context of Ukraine’s war with russia, one possible application is converting these MiG-21s into remotely controlled target drones or even ersatz cruise missiles. However, such a venture involves several considerations that need to be carefully evaluated.
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Historically, the Soviet Union developed a process to convert MiG-21s into remotely controlled targets, designated as M21m.
For this transformation, all valuable onboard equipment was removed — about one ton, including the radar and antennas — and replaced with remote control systems. As a result, the MiG-21 could take off, maneuver autonomously, albeit only for one last flight..
The MiG-21 itself has notable specifications: a fuselage length of 14.1 meters, a wingspan of 7.15 meters, a maximum speed of 1,300 km/h at low altitudes or 2,230 km/h at higher altitudes, and an operational range of 1,470 kilometers with additional fuel tanks. It can carry a payload of up to 1,300 kilograms.
With the removal of unnecessary equipment, the aircraft’s weight is greatly reduced, turning it into a long-range, high-speed attack UAV. This is similar to Ukraine's conversion of Tu-141 Strizh reconnaissance drones for long-range strikes against russian targets.
The psychological impact of using converted MiG-21s as kamikaze drones against russian military bases could be significant. However, this is where all the downsides begin.
First, Ukraine would need to negotiate with Croatia — or even Romania, which decommissioned its MiG-21 fleet in May 2023 — for access to these aircraft. Even if obtained, the resources required to convert them into attack UAVs could be considerable, potentially outweighing the benefits when compared to producing more conventional drones.
Another concern is accuracy. Converting a fighter jet into a cruise missile might result in limited precision, reducing its effectiveness in combat. Thus, while the idea of repurposing MiG-21s is intriguing and potentially valuable, the practical challenges — logistical, financial, and technical — necessitate a thorough evaluation of the pros and cons before committing to such a project.
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