MiG-21bis Lancer C - restoration
MIG-21 LanceR A/C - restoration

The LanceR (Lance for weapon and R for Romania) upgrade program was designed to increase of the combat capability and eventually NATO interoperability (Romania became a member of NATO on April 1, 2004), through the installation of an advanced avionics package. The upgrade was to be compatible with the packages installed on 4th generation combat aircraft. Improvements to the aircraft included an improved pilot-vehicle interface (PVI) in the cockpit redesign, enhanced warning systems and the ability to operate at night and during adverse weather conditions. The upgrade enabled the use of both Western and Eastern weapons, together with an increase of the survivability within a hostile environment during air combat with the installation of a new self protection system.

Three variants of LanceR went into service; the LanceR-A which was a single seat fighter-bomber for Close Air Support, the LanceR-B a two seat trainer and the LanceR-C which was a single-seat interceptor for Air Defence. The first LanceR squadron was formed at Bacau on May 8, 1997.

The first prototype MiG-21 LanceR-A (9809) was flown on August 22, 1995, followed by the LanceR-B (327) on May 6, 1996. The LanceR-C prototype (6607) first flew on November 6, 1996.

Source: targeta.co.uk/mig21_lancer.htm