Mainstream fighters chose the MiG-35 size (Rafale, Typhoon, Tornado, Super Hornet, F-35, etc.) due to costs. All heavier fighters (Flankers, Raptors, Fencers, Eagles, etc.) take more ground crew to service. Parts generally scale in cost by weight. Just try to compare Foxhound to Super Flanker. The Foxhound takes more time and money to keep up, even if technically it can outperform the Super Flanker in its specialized mission. The Super Flanker may not go Mach 3, but it has huge legs and an adequate weapon suite to replace Foxhound in many places.
What is really interesting is that MiG-21 was a puny fighter that had pretty exceptional performance in its time. It kept growing to the point that it’s no longer puny when you look at the later versions. China wisely chose to use the RD-33 because it’s practically the same size as the engine in later MiG-21 variants, but had some more room to grow. Early engines in the MiG-21 were struggling to push out 12,000 pounds of thrust. Later engines could do almost 17,000 pounds in comparison, although they grew substantially in size to get there. Imagine what could be done with a fifth generation engine, the size would be maybe 60%. You could easily overcome the MiG-21’s shortcomings in visibility with modern sensors without growing the design any bigger than the original. And your fineness ratio would actually be smaller, only doing it with the thrust of the modern engines. Supercruise has to be within reach. And instead of internal bays, simply push for streamlined ejector-equipped stations with a focus on LOAL.
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