Aircraft number 7102, 43 years old, may have left storage after more than a decade
A recently published video on social media is drawing attention from military aviation enthusiasts by showing what appears to be a MiG-21bis fighter jet operating under the colors of the Royal Cambodian Air Force.
Although the full authenticity of the footage cannot yet be verified, it is known that the aircraft displayed — marked with tail number 7102 and serial number 75096289 — was indeed part of Cambodia’s inventory. A 2023 photo available on AirHistory.net shows the fighter in a preserved state, indicating it had been in storage since at least 2007.
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Even if the video is authentic, experts highlight that such a reactivation would carry more symbolic and historical value than strategic importance. A lone MiG-21bis — a model dating back to the Cold War — would hardly pose a real threat against modern aircraft like the JAS-39 Gripen operated by the Royal Thai Air Force.
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Still, the possible return of a Soviet legend to active service — even briefly — raises questions about the state of Cambodia’s military aviation and the historical value of preserving such fighters.
Source and images: Telegram @AviaCT | X @UvgtdERt4PWmcjF | AirHistory. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
