View source for Chengdu J-7

{{Short description|Chinese version of the Soviet MiG-21}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = J-7 Airguard
| image = Bangladesh Air Force F-7BGI inflight.png
| caption = A [[Bangladesh Air Force]] J-7BGI in 2017
| type = [[Fighter aircraft]]
| manufacturer = [[Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group|Chengdu Aircraft Corporation]]/[[Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation]]
| first_flight =  {{Start date and age|1966|01|17}} <ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2023 |title=China aims to retire its aging J-7 fighters in 2023 |url=https://www.airdatanews.com/china-aims-to-retire-its-aging-j-7-fighters-in-2023/#:~:text=The%20first%20flight%20of%20the%20J-7%20took%20place,for%20the%20first%20time%20on%20February%2015%2C%201956. |website=ADN}}</ref>
| introduction = 17 January 1966
| retired = 
| status = Operational
| primary_user = [[People's Liberation Army Air Force]] (Historical)<!-- List only one user; for military aircraft, this is a nation or a service arm. Please DON'T add flag templates, as they limit horizontal space. -->
| more_users = [[Bangladesh Air Force]]<br />[[Korean People's Air Force]]<br />[[Pakistan Air Force]]<!-- Limited to THREE (3) "more users" here (4 total users).  List users with {{plainlist}} or {{unbulleted list}}. -->
| produced = 1965–2013
| number_built = 2,400+{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
| developed_from = [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]]
| variants = 
| developed_into = [[Guizhou JL-9]]
}}

The '''Chengdu J-7''' ({{lang-zh|s=歼-7|p=Jiān-7}}; third generation export version '''J-7'''; [[NATO reporting name]]: '''Fishcan'''<ref name="ONI">{{cite web |title=CHINA EQUIPMENT |url=https://www.oni.navy.mil/Portals/12/Intel%20agencies/China_Media/China_Equipment.pdf?ver=2015-12-10-103822-400 |website=Office of Naval Intelligence |publisher=United States Office of Naval Intelligence |access-date=19 June 2018 |ref=ONI |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619040248/http://www.oni.navy.mil/Portals/12/Intel%20agencies/China_Media/China_Equipment.pdf?ver=2015-12-10-103822-400 |archive-date=19 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>) is a Chinese [[fighter aircraft]]. It is a [[licensed production|license-built]] derivative of the [[Soviet]] [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]], and thus shares many similarities with that [[aircraft]].<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/fighter/j7.asp | publisher = Sino Defence | title = J7 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060716074318/http://sinodefence.com/airforce/fighter/j7.asp | archive-date = 16 July 2006 }}.</ref> The aircraft is armed  with [[infrared homing]] [[Air-to-air missile|air-to-air]] [[missiles]] and is mainly designed for short range [[air-to-air combat]]. The aircraft is also used for [[close air support]].

On 30 March 1962, the Soviet Union and China signed a [[technology transfer]]ence arrangement on the MiG-21. Allegedly, while various kits, components, completed aircraft and associated documents were delivered to the [[Shenyang Aircraft Corporation|Shenyang Aircraft Factory]], the design [[documentation]] was incomplete, and Chinese designers made efforts to [[Reverse engineering|reverse engineer]] the aircraft. While the two aircraft are greatly similar, areas of difference include the [[hydraulic]] systems and internal fuel arrangements. During March 1964, domestic production of the J-7 reportedly commenced at the Shenyang Aircraft Factory, but due to various factors including [[the Cultural Revolution]], mass production was only truly achieved during the 1980s. Numerous models of the J-7 were developed, featuring improvements in areas such as the armament, [[avionics]], and wing design.

The aircraft was principally operated by the [[People's Liberation Army Air Force]] (PLAAF), but numerous international operators have bought their own J-7s. Outside of China, the largest operator of the J-7 is the [[Pakistan Air Force]]. Later generation Chinese aircraft, such as the [[Shenyang J-8]] interceptor, were developed with the lessons learned from the J-7 programme. Several nations, including Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Sri Lanka, deployed the type in offensive roles.

In 2013, production of the J-7 was terminated after the delivery of 16 F-7BGI to the [[Bangladesh Air Force]]. Newer fighter aircraft, such as the [[JF-17 Thunder]], [[Chengdu J-10]], and [[Shenyang J-35]]A multirole fighters, have succeeded it in the export market. To date, large numbers of J-7s remain in service with multiple export customers,<ref name = "medmul 162">Medeiros, Cliff, Crane and Mulvenon 2005, p. 162.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author-last=Beckhusen |author-first=Robert |title=China's Expert Fighter Designer Knows Jets, Avoids America's Mistakes |journal=[[International Relations and Security Network]] |via=Offiziere.ch |url=http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Articles/Detail/?id=192616 |access-date=4 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002224809/http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Articles/Detail/?id=192616 |archive-date=2 October 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> with the PLAAF retiring the fleet in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://alert5.com/2023/01/30/china-to-retire-the-j-7-fighter-this-year/ |title=China to retire the J-7 fighter this year |via=Alert 5 |website=[[Global Times]] |author-last=Liu |author-first=Xuanzun |date=30 January 2023 }}</ref>

==Design and development==
===Background===
[[File:J-7I fighter at the Beijing Military museum.jpg|thumb|A [[People's Liberation Army Air Force|PLAAF]] J-7I at the [[Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution|Beijing Military museum]]]]
In the 1950s and early 1960s, the [[Soviet Union]] shared a large proportion of its conventional weapons technology with its neighbor, China. One such example is the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19|MiG-19]], which was locally produced by China as the [[Shenyang J-6]] from as early as 1958.<ref name = "medmul 160">Medeiros, Cliff, Crane and Mulvenon 2005, p. 160.</ref> During the same decade, the even more capable [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]] had been developed by the Soviets; this fighter, being inexpensive but fast, suited the strategy of forming large groups of 'people's fighters' to overcome the technological advantages of Western aircraft. However, the [[Sino-Soviet split]] abruptly ended initial cooperation efforts; between 28 July and 1 September 1960, the Soviet Union withdrew its advisers from China, resulting in the J-7 project coming to a halt in China.

During February 1962, Soviet Premier [[Nikita Khrushchev]] unexpectedly wrote to [[Mao Zedong]] to inform him that the Soviet Union was willing to transfer MiG-21 technology to China, and he asked the Chinese to promptly send their representatives to the Soviet Union to discuss arrangements. The Chinese viewed this offer as a Soviet gesture to make peace, and while suspicious, they were nonetheless eager to take up the Soviet offer of an aircraft deal. A delegation headed by General [[Liu Yalou]], the commander-in-chief of the [[People's Liberation Army Air Force]] (PLAAF) and himself a Soviet military academy graduate, was dispatched to Moscow immediately; the Chinese delegation was given three days to visit the MiG-21's production facility, which was previously off-limits to foreigners.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Pioneers of New China's Aviation Science and Technology Industry - A Deep Memory of Comrade Ye Zhengda, Former Deputy Director of Shenyang Institute of Aviation Industry - Jet Mill, Air Classifier - China Shenyang Aircraft Research Institute Powder Company|url=http://www.saripowder.com/html/en/article_read_197.html|access-date=2021-02-05|website=www.saripowder.com}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The visit's authorization was personally given by Nikita Khrushchev, and on 30 March 1962, the technology transfer deal was signed.{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=J-7 / F-7 Fighter Aircraft, China|url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/j7f7fighteraircraft/|access-date=2021-02-05|website=www.airforce-technology.com}}</ref>

===Establishing production===
However, given the state of political relations between the two countries, the Chinese were not optimistic about gaining the technology, and allegedly made preparations to [[Reverse engineering|reverse engineer]] the aircraft.<ref name = "medmul 160"/> Russian sources state that several complete MiG-21s were sent to China, flown by Soviet pilots, while MiG-21Fs in kit form were also sent along with parts and technical documents. As the Chinese had expected, following the delivery of kits, parts and documents to [[Shenyang Aircraft Corporation|Shenyang Aircraft Factory]] five months after the deal was signed, it was discovered that some technical documents provided by the Soviets were incomplete and that several parts could not be used.{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}}

China set about to engineer the aircraft for local production; in doing so, they successfully solved 249 major issues and reproduced eight major technical documents that were not provided by the Soviet Union. One of the major flaws was with the [[hydraulic]] systems, which grounded up to 70% of some squadron's aircraft until upgrades were made. Another major modification was to the fuel storage, increasing the aircraft's stability. The MiG-21 carries most of its fuel in the forward fuselage, causing the center of gravity to shift and become unstable after about 45 minutes of operation. The J-7 has redesigned fuel tanks and significantly larger [[drop tank]]s in order to maintain a more stable center of gravity, and therefore better [[longitudinal static stability]]. The cockpit was also revised to replace the Soviet ejection seat, which was deemed to be unacceptable. The forward opening canopy was replaced by a standard rear-hinged canopy, which was jettisoned prior to ejection. The re-engineering effort was largely successful, as the Chinese-built J-7 showed only minor differences in design and performance from the original MiG-21.<ref name="ReferenceA">Civil Airworthiness Certification: Former Military High-Performance Aircraft.</ref>

During March 1964, domestic production of the J-7 reportedly commenced at the Shenyang Aircraft Factory. However, mass production efforts were severely hindered by an unexpected social and economic problem—[[the Cultural Revolution]]—that resulted in poor initial quality and slow progress. Achieving full domestic production had involved not only the local assembly of the aircraft itself, but the production of its various components and systems, including its [[turbojet]] powerplant.<ref name = "medmul 170">Medeiros, Cliff, Crane and Mulvenon 2005, p. 170.</ref> As a consequence, full-scale production of the J-7 was only truly achieved during the 1980s, by which time the original aircraft design was showing its age. By the 1980s, quantity production of the [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]] fighter was well underway in the United States; this relatively-affordable single-engined western fighter was considerably more agile than the J-7, even with the former carrying a greater payload.<ref name = "medmul 1601">Medeiros, Cliff, Crane and Mulvenon 2005, pp. 160-161.</ref>

===Further development===
[[File:In flight air-to-air left front view of a PRC F-7II fighter aircraft - DPLA.jpg|thumb| A [[People's Liberation Army Air Force|PLAAF]] J-7III in 1990s ]]
In 1987, the J-7E was introduced, having a greatly improved wing, among other improvements. It was roughly 45% more maneuverable, and its takeoff and landing performance was greatly increased. It was also equipped with a helmet mounted sight, as well as being the first MiG-21 variant to be equipped with [[HOTAS]] and a multipurpose display. Many of the electronic components were British in origin, such as the gun sight and the multi purpose display. The aircraft is capable of using [[PL-8 (missile)|PL-8/Python 3]] missiles with both the helmet mounted sight or the radar fire control, but the two are not connected. The pilot may use only one system at a time.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

In the mid-1980s, Pakistan requested an aircraft with greater radar capabilities. Both the standard radar and the British Marconi radar were plagued by ground clutter, but China did not have any experience with air to ground radar at the time. In 1984, Pakistan provided assistance by having their American-trained F-16 pilots provide training on proper ground attack radar operation, which enabled the Chinese to develop the J-7M. In the late 1980s, the J-7MP and J-7PG introduced significant upgrades to the radar system by converting to an Italian [[FIAR]] Grifo-7 radar, more than tripled the effective range of the radar, as well as greatly increased the maximum angle for target detection.<ref>Civil Airworthiness Certification: Former Military High-Performance Aircraft P.2-59 to 2–62.</ref>

The J-7 only reached its Soviet-designed capabilities in the mid-1980s. Being relatively affordable, it was widely exported as the F-7, often with Western systems incorporated, such as to Pakistan. There are over 20 different export variants of the J-7, some of which are equipped to use European weaponry, such as French [[R.550 Magic]] missiles. The Discovery Channel's ''Wings Over The Red Star'' series claims that the Chinese intercepted several Soviet MiG-21s en route to North Vietnam (during the [[Vietnam War]]), but these aircraft did not perform in a manner consistent with their original specifications, suggesting that the Chinese actually intercepted down-rated aircraft that were intended for export, rather than fully capable production aircraft. For this reason, the Chinese had to re-engineer the intercepted MiG-21 airframes in order to achieve their original capabilities. China later developed the [[Shenyang J-8]] based both on the expertise gained by the program, and by utilizing the incomplete technical information acquired from the Soviet [[Ye-152]] developmental jet.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.globalaircraft.org/planes/j-7_fishbed.pl |title=Global Aircraft -- J-7 Fishbed |access-date=14 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806100133/https://www.globalaircraft.org/planes/j-7_fishbed.pl |archive-date=6 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |title=Civil Airworthiness Certification: Former Military High-Performance Aircraft |author-first=Miguel |author-last=Vasconcelos |publisher=[[United States Department of Transportation]], [[Federal Aviation Administration]] |date=19 September 2013 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LyBQBwAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-SA2-PA51 |pages=2–51}}</ref>

During May 2013, production of the J-7 was permanently terminated, bringing to a close a period of manufacturing stretching almost 50 years.<ref name = "nationalinterest 2020">{{cite web |url = https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/irans-f-7-fighter-copy-j-7-fighter-china-copies-mig-21-139667 |title = Iran's F-7 Fighter Is A Copy of a J-7 Fighter from China (That Copies a MiG-21) |publisher = [[The National Interest]] |first = Caleb |last = Larson |date = 1 April 2020}}</ref>

At the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2018, a display showing the J-7 as an unmanned platform was shown.<ref name="LuDecoding">{{Cite magazine |author-last=Lu |author-first=Li-Shih |magazine=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]]|url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/06/decoding-chinas-recent-combat-drills-in-the-first-island-chain/|title=Decoding China's Recent Combat Drills in the First Island Chain|date=26 June 2021|access-date=25 December 2022 |issn=1446-697X}}</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:Nigerian Air Force Chengdu FT-7NI Iwelumo-2.jpg|thumb|A Nigerian FT-7NI]]
[[File:Albanian Air Force Chengdu F-7A Lofting-1.jpg|thumb|[[Albanian Air Force]] Chengdu F-7A]]
[[File:Myanmar Air Force Chengdu F-7 MRD.jpg|thumb|[[Myanmar Air Force]] Chengdu F-7M]]
[[File:IRIAF MiG-21 landing.jpg|thumb|Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Chengdu FT-7 landing at [[Mehrabad International Airport]]]]
[[File:J-7 fighter at the China Aviation museum.jpg|thumb|A J-7I on display at the [[Chinese Aviation Museum]]. Note the underwing PL-2 missiles]]

===Africa===
;Namibia
During August 2005, Namibia ordered 12 F-7NMs for its air force; Chinese sources reported the delivery in November 2006. The model procured is believed to be a variation of the F-7PG acquired by Pakistan with Grifo MG radar.<ref name="sipri">[http://www.sipri.org/databases/armstransfers Transfers of major conventional weapons. 1950 to 2011.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216034008/http://www.sipri.org/databases/armstransfers/ |date=16 December 2014 }} Stockholm International Peace Research Institute</ref>

;Nigeria

In early 2008, Nigeria procured 12 F-7NI fighters and three FT-7NI trainers to replace its existing inventory of MiG-21 fighters.<ref>{{cite periodical |magazine=[[Jane's Defence Weekly]] |date=21 January 2009 |title=title not provided |volume=46 |issue=3 |page=16 |issn=0265-3818 |oclc=613908494}}</ref> On September 20, 2018, two Nigerian F-7Ni aircraft crashed into Katamkpehir, Abuja, killing one pilot after a mid-air collision during a rehearsal of an aerial display for the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence.<ref>{{cite web|first=Daniel|last=Brown|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/r-nigerian-military-planes-in-accident-during-air-display-rehearsal-2018-9|title=1 pilot killed after 2 Nigerian F-7Ni fighter jets reportedly collide in midair|work=[[Business Insider]]|date=29 September 2018}}</ref>

;Sudan
During the lengthy [[Second Sudanese Civil War]], Sudan procured a number of F-7s. In November 1993, it was reported that Iran had allegedly financed Sudan's purchase of around 20 Chinese ground-attack aircraft, having pledged $17 million in financial aid to the Sudanese government and arranged for $300 million in Chinese arms to be delivered to the Sudanese Army.<ref name="weekly">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/401vcvba.asp|title=A Deadly Love Triangle: Why Iran and Hamas adore Darfur's genocidal dictator |access-date=8 November 2015|archive-date=9 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309165657/http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/401vcvba.asp|url-status=dead |author-last=Schanzer |author-first=Jonathan |author-link=Jonathan Schanzer |magazine=[[The Weekly Standard]] |issn=1083-3013 |location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref>

;Tanzania
The [[Tanzanian Air Force]] deployed its F-7As during the [[Uganda–Tanzania War]] against Uganda and Libya, fought between 1978 and 1979. Forming a major component of Tanzania's combat aircraft, the type facilitated the defeat of the nominally stronger [[Ugandan Air Force|Uganda Army Air Force]] during the air campaign.{{sfn|Cooper|Fontanellaz|2015|pp=30, 42}}{{sfn|Brzoska|Pearson|1994|p=207}}

;Zimbabwe
Due to their very limited operational capabilities in the absence of ground support from radars, Zimbabwean F-7s were never used in combat operations during the [[Second Congo War]].<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert| Hinz|Lepko|2011|p=212}}</ref> Their only deployment in the DR Congo took place in January 2001, when four aircraft were to participate in the burial ceremony for the assassinated president, [[Laurent-Désiré Kabila]]. During the journey from Zimbabwe to [[Kinshasa]], one of them crashed, with its pilot ejecting safely. Moreover, on the return trip, two aircraft were damaged on landing, although both were repaired and returned to service.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert| Hinz|Lepko|2011|p=216}}</ref>

===Europe===

;Albania
The deployment of F-7As near the country's northern border successfully checked [[Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] incursions into Albanian airspace in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |author-first=Wim |author1-last=Das |author2-first=Kees |author2-last=Otten |url=http://www.dutchaviationsupport.com/Articles/Titana%20UK.pdf |title=Albanian Air Force: Tirana's Moving Steps  |access-date=5 April 2011 |website=Dutch Aviation Support|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006012335/http://www.dutchaviationsupport.com/Articles/Titana%20UK.pdf |archive-date=6 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===East and Southeast Asia===
;China
Throughout the mid-1990s, the PLAAF began to replace its J-7B inventory with the substantially redesigned and improved J-7E variant. The wings of the J-7E have a new "double delta" design offering improved aerodynamics and increased fuel capacity, and the J-7E also features a more powerful engine and improved avionics. The newest version of the J-7, the J-7G, entered service with the PLAAF in 2003.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

The principal role of the J-7 in Chinese service is to provide local air defense and tactical air superiority. Large numbers are to be employed to deter enemy air operations.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

In June 2021, four J-7s participated in a combat drill conducted near Taiwan's air defense identification zone.<ref name="LuDecoding"/>

The decommissioning of the J-7 began in 2018, with the whole fleet set to retire in 2023. According to the [[US Air Force]] [[China Aerospace Studies Institute]], the retirement of J-7 marked the PLAAF's transition to a fleet composed of only fourth-generation and fifth-generation aircraft. According to the Chinese media, PLAAF also considered turning J-7 into drones for training tools and aerial decoys.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-j7-fighter-jets-may-be-converted-into-combat-drones-2023-2?r=US&IR=T |title=China is getting rid of its 'grandpa' fighter jets, but they may make a comeback for a one-way mission against Taiwan |website=Business Insider |date=20 February 2023 |first=Michael |last=Peck |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3140627/why-has-chinas-pla-started-sending-grandpa-fighter-jets-test |title=Why has China's PLA started sending 'grandpa fighter jets' to test Taiwan's air defences? |date=11 July 2021 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |oclc=648902513 |first=Minnie |last=Chan }}</ref>

;Myanmar

During the 1990s, Myanmar reportedly established four squadrons of F-7s, which have been primarily used for air defense duties. Technical difficulties have reportedly plagued the fleet early on, and their ground-attack performance was not deemed sufficient.<ref name=J779/> Since then, Myanmar has improved the F-7 fleet's capabilities via a modernisation programme. A series of upgrades were allegedly performed by a combination of Chinese and Israeli enterprises; although confirmed details on the arrangements have remained sparse, changes reportedly include the adoption of various Israeli-built missiles.<ref name=J778>{{cite web| url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0710/S00013.htm | title=Israeli military aid to Burmese regime: Jane's |publisher = scoop.co.nz |date = 2 October 2007 | access-date=2 October 2007 }}</ref><ref name=J779>{{cite web |via=reg.burma Archives via Burma Library |url=http://www.burmalibrary.org/reg.burma/archives/200008/msg00005.html | title= Myanmar and Israel develop military |first = William |last = Ashton |website = [[Jane's Intelligence Review]] |date = 1 March 2000 |access-date=21 February 2021}}</ref>

===Middle East===
;Iran
During the 1980s, Iran procured a number of F-7s, despite Chinese officials issuing denials of directly supplying military equipment to the country at that time.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-03-mn-18494-story.html |title = China Tells U.S. It Will Block Silkworm Diversion to Iran : Promises 'Strict Measures' |newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] |location=Beijing |issn=2165-1736 |agency=[[United Press International]]|date = 3 November 1987 }}</ref> Despite its use as a frontline fighter, the type has not been involved in any known combat actions. By the 21st century, it was largely relegated to use as a trainer aircraft.<ref name = "nationalinterest 2020"/> The F-7 has also been used as a flying test bed for various indigenous technologies. In the recent years, maintaining the fleet's operational status has reportedly become difficult. This is caused by the limited availability of spare parts, despite efforts by domestic industries to fill in, but also by the age of the airframes, which have accumulated excessive numbers of flight hours.<ref name = "nationalinterest 2020"/>

Iranian F-7s have featured in several movies, often portraying Iraqi MiG-21s during the [[Iran–Iraq War]]. One tells the story of an [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]] strike on the Iraqi nuclear reactor at [[Operation Scorch Sword|Osirak]] on 30 September 1980. Another one, "Attack on H3", tells the story of the 810&nbsp;km-deep raid against Iraqi Air Force airfields on 4 April 1981, and other movies depicting the air combat in 1981 that resulted in the downing of around 70 Iraqi aircraft.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

;Iraq
Iraqi F-7Bs were never used in combat, but only as advanced trainers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |title=In the Claws of the Tomcat. US Navy F-14 Tomcats in Air Combat Against Iran and Iraq, 1987-2000 |date=2021 |publisher=Helion & Company Publishing |location=Warwick, UK |isbn=978-1-913118-75-4 |page=31}}</ref>

===South Asia===
[[File:Bangladesh Air Force F-7 (06) (cropped).png|thumb|[[Bangladesh Air Force]] twin-seater [[List of Chengdu J-7 variants|FT-7BGI]] inflight with F-7BGI's ]] 
;Bangladesh

The [[Bangladeshi Air Force]] currently operates FT-7MB Airguards, and F-7BG and F-7BGI interceptors.<ref name="SIPRI_BGD"/> The F-7BGI is one of the most advanced variants, and the last production model of the F-7/J-7 family, with 16 entering service in 2013.

[[File:Pakistan Air Force Chengdu F-7PG inflight.jpg|thumb|[[Pakistan Air Force]] [[List of Chengdu J-7 variants|F-7PG]] No. 20 Squadron "Cheetahs"]] 
;Pakistan
During the 1980s, Pakistan launched [[Project Sabre II]] in an effort to increase the effectiveness of its F-7 fleet by redesigning and upgrading the airframe. The program produced to a design study which was drawn up by engineers from Northrop Grumman, China and Pakistan, but by 1989, the project was abandoned largely as a consequence of economic [[Economic sanctions|sanctions]] that the U.S. imposed on Pakistan.<ref name="Pakistan considers new fighter plan">{{cite web|title=Pakistan Considers new Fighter Plan |work=[[Flight International]] |date=14–20 March 1990 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%200672.html?search=Sabre%20II |access-date=18 October 2009 |archive-date=21 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021154725/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%200672.html?search=Sabre%20II |url-status=dead  }}</ref> That same year, Grumman and China initiated a new design study in another attempt to redesign the F-7<ref name="Grumman to upgrade Chinese F-7Ms">{{cite web|title=Grumman to upgrade Chinese F-7Ms |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1988/1988%20-%203360.html |date=26 November 1988 |work=Flight International |access-date=15 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021140123/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1988/1988%20-%203360.html |archive-date=21 October 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> but that effort was also abandoned when the U.S. placed sanctions on China in response to the 1989 [[Tiananmen Square protests of 1989|Tiananmen Square protests]]. In 1991, a third initiative involving the F-7 was launched; originally known as the Fighter China project, it led to the creation of the [[JF-17 Thunder]] multirole fighter.<ref name="Janes">{{cite web |title=CAC FC-1 Xiaolong |work=[[Jane's All the World's Aircraft]] |publisher=[[Jane's Information Group]] |date=10 March 2009 |url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-All-the-Worlds-Aircraft/CAC-FC-1-Xiaolong-China.html |access-date=29 July 2009}}</ref> The aircraft satisfied a requirement issued by the Pakistani Air Force for an affordable and modern combat aircraft, and the country is in the process of replacing its entire F-7 fleet with JF-17s.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Aviation Week]] |author-last=Wall |author-first=Robert |title=Pakistan Expands Fighter Force |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/awst/2010/12/20/AW_12_20_2010_p31-277626.xml&headline=Pakistan%20Expands%20Fighter%20Force |date=22 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105212255/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news%2Fawst%2F2010%2F12%2F20%2FAW_12_20_2010_p31-277626.xml&headline=Pakistan%20Expands%20Fighter%20Force |archive-date=5 November 2011 |url-status=dead |issn=0005-2175}}</ref><ref name="Thunder Storm, Usman Ansari">{{citation | last =Ansari | first = Usman | title= Thunder Storm&nbsp;– Pakistan's hopes for the JF-17 Thunder fighter | work=Combat Aircraft magazine | volume = 8 |issue= 4 |url=http://usmanansari.com/id16.html |access-date=11 December 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907034554/http://usmanansari.com/id16.html | archive-date=7 September 2012}}</ref>

;Sri Lanka

In 1991, the [[Sri Lanka Air Force]] (SLAF) was looking for a jet [[attack aircraft]] to provide fast close air support to its army. With western countries refusing to sell attack aircraft, the Government of Sri Lanka approached China for the purchase of several [[Nanchang Q-5]]s, which had the range and payload capacity needed by the SLAF, and was already used by Pakistan and Bangladesh. Due to pressure from the west, China agreed to sell a small number of F-7BS fighters which allowed the SLAF to restore its capabilities that were lost a decade back.<ref>{{Cite web  |website=[[Sri Lanka Air Force|Sri Lanka Air Force (official website)]] |department=History|url=http://www.airforce.lk/hist/hist1/h3c5p1.htm |title=The roar of Jets once again |access-date=10 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230082529/http://www.airforce.lk/hist/hist1/h3c5p1.htm |archive-date=30 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Due to the type's comparative lack of endurance and payload, the SLAF has periodically used its F-7s for pilot training purposes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070818_01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825103500/http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070818_01|url-status=dead|title=The MIG27 affair – Fighter Pilots reveal what the "defence analysts" forgot to tell, Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence|archive-date=25 August 2007}}</ref> Early in 2008, the air force received six more advanced F-7Gs, to use primarily as interceptors. All of the F-7Gs, F-7BS' and FT-7s are flown by the [[No. 5 Squadron SLAF|No 5 Jet Squadron]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chandraprema |first1=C. A. |title=Gota's War |date=2012 |publisher=Piyasiri Printing Systems |location=Colombo |page=197}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.island.lk/2002/02/01/featur01.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030406203658/http://www.island.lk/2002/02/01/featur01.html |date=1 February 2002 |website=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]
|archive-date=6 April 2003 |author-last=Ferdinando |author-first=Shamindra |title=June '93 peace moves preceded stunning battlefield defeats}}</ref>

The SLAF has repeatedly deployed its F-7BS to conduct ground-attack missions against the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE). Sri Lankan officials reported that on 9 September 2008, three F-7s were scrambled after two rebel-flown [[Zlín Z 43|Zlín-143s]] were detected by a ground radar. Two F-7s were sent to bomb two rebel airstrips in the [[Mullaitivu]] and [[Kilinochchi]] areas, while the third reportedly intercepted one Zlín-143. According to the Sri Lankan government, the rebel-flown aircraft was shot down by the chasing F-7G using an air-to-air missile, as it was returning to Mullaitivu after a bombing run against [[Vavuniya Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiandefenceforum.com/index.php?topic=16579.msg184081|title=Indiandefenceforum.com|access-date=4 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018173944/http://www.indiandefenceforum.com/index.php?topic=16579.msg184081|archive-date=2015-10-18|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/home/pagenotfound|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915010712/http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=26007|url-status=dead |title=Did a Foreigner Man the LTTE Aircraft?: F-7 Supersonic Jets vs Zlin 143 |newspaper=[[Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]] |date=12 September 2008 |archive-date=15 September 2008}}</ref>

==Variants==
{{main|List of Chengdu J-7 variants}}

==Operators==
[[File:Chengdu J-7 Operators as of 2023.png|thumb|upright=1.35|Operators {{legend|#1a00ff|Current}}{{legend|#ed0017|Former}}]]

===Current===
;{{BGD}}
* [[Bangladesh Air Force]]: 20 aircraft delivered between 1989 and 1990, with an additional 20 aircraft delivered between 1999 and 2006. 16 F-7BGI delivered between 2012 and 2013.<ref name="SIPRI_BGD">{{cite web |title=Trade Registers |url=https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |website=armstrade.sipri.org |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=5 September 2023}}</ref> 36 F-7 fighters and 10 FT-7 trainers listed as active in 2025.<ref>{{harvnb|Hoyle|2023|p=13}}</ref>
;{{IRN}}
* [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force]]: 17 F-7s and 1 FT-7 in service as of 2023.<ref>{{harvnb|Hoyle|2023|pp=20–21}}</ref>
;{{MYA}}
* [[Myanmar Air Force]]: 64 aircraft were received between 1990 and 1999. 36 F-7M and F-7IIK and 6 FT-7 trainers remained in service ({{as of|February 2012}}).<ref name="AMR">{{cite web|url=http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/201202112223151.pdf|title=The AMR Regional Air Force Directory 2012|date=February 2012|publisher=Asian Military Review|access-date=12 August 2012}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
;{{NAM}}
* [[Namibian Air Force]]: 6 × F-7NM and 2 × FT-7NM in active service. A total of 12 F/FT-7NM aircraft were delivered between 2006 and 2008.<ref name="SipriNam">{{cite web|title=Namibia Arms Trade Register (1950-2017)|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|website=armstrade.sipri.org|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|access-date=11 April 2018|ref=SipriNam|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|archive-date=14 April 2010|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
;{{NGA}}
* [[Nigerian Air Force]]: 12 × F-7 and 2 × FT-7.<ref name="Flight WAF10 p44">''Flight International'' 14–20 December 2011, p. 44.</ref>
;{{PRK}}
* [[North Korean Air Force]]: {{As of|February 2012}}, 180 F-7 remained in service. However, reports of dire levels of serviceability suggest an airworthiness rate of less than 50%.<ref name="AMR"/>
;{{PAK}}
* Pakistan Air Force: {{As of|January 2022}}, 48 F-7PG (out of the original 60) plus 6 FT-7P/PG Trainer remained in service. Last few F-7P & F-7MP retired from CCS Dashings squadron in 2021. 53 F-7PG still in service.<ref name="WAF 22">{{cite web |last1=Hoyle |first1=Craig |title=World Air Forces 2022 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=83735 |website=Flight International |access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref>
** No. 19 Squadron ''Sherdils'' – Operated F-7P/FT-7P from 1990<ref>{{cite web|title=PAF s' Squadrons|url=http://paffalcons.com/squadrons/index.php|work=paffalcons.com|access-date=29 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718151821/http://paffalcons.com/squadrons/index.php|archive-date=18 July 2014}}</ref> until April 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Allport|first=Dave|title=First Five ex-Jordanian F-16s Delivered to Pakistan AF|url=http://www.airforcesdaily.com/2014/04/first-five-ex-jordanian-f-16s-delviered-to-pakistan-af/|work=airforcesdaily.com|date=28 April 2014|access-date=29 April 2014}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Replaced by [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16A/B Block 15 ADF|F-16A/B Block 15 ADF]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Chaudhry|first=Asif Bashir|title=5 used Jordanian F-16s inducted into PAF|url=http://www.nation.com.pk/islamabad/28-Apr-2014/5-used-jordanian-f-16s-inducted-into-paf|access-date=29 April 2014|newspaper=[[The Nation (Pakistan)]]|date=28 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428231551/http://www.nation.com.pk/islamabad/28-Apr-2014/5-used-jordanian-f-16s-inducted-into-paf|archive-date=28 April 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
;{{SRI}}
* [[Sri Lankan Air Force]]: {{As of|January 2022}}, 5 F-7GS/BS and 1 FT-7 trainer remained in service.<ref name="WAF 22"/>
;{{SUD}}
* [[Sudanese Air Force]]: 20 F-7 fighters in service as of October 2023.<ref name="waf24p30">{{harvnb|Hoyle|2023|p=30}}</ref>
;{{TAN}}
* [[Tanzanian Air Force]]: Originally having had 11 × F-7 in service,<ref name="Flight WAF10 p48">''Flight International'' 14–20 December 2010, p. 48.</ref> Tanzania replaced them with 12 new J-7's (single-seat) under the designation ''J-7G'' and 2 dual-seat aircraft designated ''F-7TN'' in 2011. Originally ordered in 2009, the deliveries were completed and the aircraft are now fully operational at the air bases in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza. The new aircraft are equipped with a KLJ-6E Falcon radar, thought to be developed from the Selex Galileo Grifo 7 radar. The J-7G's primary weapon is the Chinese PL-7A short-range infrared air-to-air missile.<ref name="IHS Janes DW">{{cite magazine |magazine=Jane's Defence Weekly |volume=50 |issue=47 |date=20 November 2013 |page=21 |title=Tanzania swaps old J-7-s for new ones |issn=0265-3818}}</ref>
;{{ZIM}}
* [[Air Force of Zimbabwe]]: 12 F-7II/IIN and 2 FT-7BZ delivered.<ref>{{harvnb|Cooper|Weinert| Hinz|Lepko|2011|p=208}}</ref> {{As of|January 2022}}, 7 × F-7 remained in service.<ref name="WAF 22" />

===Former===
;{{ALB}}
* [[Albanian Air Force]]: Total 12 F-7A in service from 1969 through 2004, now retired.<ref name="wafhl">{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/countriesindex.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716224643/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/countriesindex.html|url-status=dead|title=World Air Forces Countries|archive-date=July 16, 2012|website=www.worldairforces.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldairforces.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206211604/http://www.worldairforces.com/|url-status=dead|title=World Air Forces HOME|archive-date=February 6, 2007|website=www.worldairforces.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwy7DMLuBZY|title=Chengdu F-7A/MiG-21F-13, Rinas AFB, Albania|date=31 December 1969|work=YouTube|access-date=4 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608092049/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwy7DMLuBZY|archive-date=8 June 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
;{{CHN}}
* [[People's Liberation Army Air Force]]: Significant sum in service from 1966 through 2023, now retired.<ref name="ADN 23">{{cite web |last1=Vinholes |first1=Thiago |title=China aims to retire its aging J-7 fighters in 2023 |url=https://www.airdatanews.com/china-aims-to-retire-its-aging-j-7-fighters-in-2023/ |website=Air Data News |date=2 February 2023 |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref><ref name="BI 23">{{cite web |last1=Peck |first1=Michael |title=China is getting rid of its 'grandpa' fighter jets |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-j7-fighter-jets-may-be-converted-into-combat-drones-2023-2 |website=Business Insider |access-date=21 February 2023}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=June 2025}}
;{{EGY}}
* [[Egyptian Air Force]]<ref name="iiss_militarybalance2010_250">Hacket 2010, p. 250</ref>
;{{flag|Iraq|1991}}
* [[Iraqi Air Force]]: 100 F-7B,<ref name="SIPRI_BGD"/>{{sfn|Olimat|2014}} retired after the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]
;{{Flag|United States of America}}
* [[United States Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Sweetman|first=Bill|title=We didn't know what 90 percent of the switches did|url=http://aviationweek.com/blog/we-didn-t-know-what-90-percent-switches-did|work=aviationweek.com/blog|date=7 August 2012|access-date=29 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429152400/http://aviationweek.com/blog/we-didn-t-know-what-90-percent-switches-did|archive-date=29 April 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> (Foreign Technology Evaluation: MiG-21F-13)

==Specifications (J-7MG)==
[[File:J-7I fighter at the Beijing Military Museum from above.jpg|thumb|A J-7I seen from above at the [[Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution|Beijing Military Museum]]. Note the [[delta wing]] and distinctive PLAAF markings]]
[[File:Sri Lanka Military 0042.jpg|thumb|A Sri Lanka Air Force Chengdu F-7GS and stores on static display]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004<ref name="JAWA03 p75-6">Jackson 2003, pp. 75–76.</ref>
|prime units?=met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|length m=14.884
|length note=(Overall)
|span m=8.32
|span note=
|height m=4.11
|height note=
|wing area sqm=24.88
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=2.8
|airfoil='''root:''' TsAGI S-12 (4.2%); '''tip:''' TsAGI S-12 (5%)<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight kg=5292
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=7540
|gross weight note=with 2x [[PL-2]] or [[PL-7]] air-to-air missiles
|max takeoff weight kg=9100
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Liyang Wopen-13F]]
|eng1 type=afterburning [[turbojet]]
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kn=44.1
|eng1 note=
|eng1 kn-ab=64.7
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh=2200
|max speed note=IAS
|max speed mach=2
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=210
|stall speed note=IAS
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|range note=
|combat range km=850
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=2200
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=17500
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=195
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns= 2× 30 mm Type 30-1 cannon, 60 rounds per gun
|hardpoints= 5 total.  4 × under-wing (up to {{convert|500|kg|lb|abbr=on}} each), 1 × centerline under-fuselage {{convert|2000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} maximum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/fighter/j7_specs.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916182528/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/fighter/j7_specs.asp|url-status=dead|title=Sinodefence.com|archive-date=September 16, 2008}}</ref>
|hardpoint capacity= 
|rockets= 55 mm rocket pod (12 rounds), 90 mm rocket pod (7 rounds)
|missiles=
<br />'''Air-to-air missiles:''' [[PL-2]], [[PL-5]], [[PL-7]], [[PL-8 missile|PL-8]], [[PL-9]], [[Vympel K-13|K-13]], [[Magic R.550]], [[AIM-9]]
|bombs= 50 kg to 500 kg unguided bombs
|avionics=
* FIAR Grifo-7 mk.II radar
}}

==Accidents and incidents==
* On April 8, 2008, Squadron Leader Morshed Hasan died when his Bangladesh Air Force F-7 crashed in [[Ghatail Upazila]] in [[Tangail District]]. Hasan ejected from the aircraft but was critically injured when his parachute malfunctioned. He died at the [[Combined Military Hospital (Dhaka)|Combined Military Hospital]] in [[Dhaka]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Pilot killed in BAF fighter crash |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-31423 |website=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]] |date=9 April 2008 |access-date=6 October 2020}}</ref>
* On May 6, 2010, a Chinese PLAAF J-7 crashed due to engine failure near [[Jinan, China]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lostarmour.info/aflosses/item.php?id=20018|title=Lostarmour ID: 20018|access-date=2020-10-28|archive-date=2022-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202092818/https://lostarmour.info/aflosses/item.php?id=20018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* On April 13, 2011, a Chinese PLAAF J-7 crashed near [[Liujiang County]] and [[Xincheng County]], [[Liuzhou]] during a training flight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lostarmour.info/aflosses/item.php?id=18471|title = Lostarmour ID: 18471}}</ref>
* On January 25, 2012, a [[Pakistani Air Force]] (PAF) FT-7P crashed near [[Mianwali]] ([[Punjab, Pakistan]]) due to engine flameout following a [[bird strike]]. Flying Officer Fatima Tariq and instructor Wing Commander Waqar Ahmed both sustained minor injuries during ejection and/or landing.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
* On December 4, 2012, a Chinese PLAAF J-7 crashed into a residential building in [[Shantou]], [[Guangdong Province]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lostarmour.info/aflosses/item.php?id=16069|title=Lostarmour ID: 16069|access-date=2020-10-28|archive-date=2020-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103193006/https://lostarmour.info/aflosses/item.php?id=16069|url-status=dead}}</ref> Four civilians were injured as a result of the crash.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://alert5.com/2012/12/04/photo-plaaf-j-7-crashed-into-building-4-hurt/|title = Photo: PLAAF J-7 crashed into building, 4 hurt – Alert 5| date=4 December 2012 }}</ref>
* On June 29, 2015, Bangladesh Air Force Flight Lieutenant Tahmid died when his F-7MB crashed into the [[Bay of Bengal]]. The aircraft took at 10:27{{nbsp}}am from [[Shah Amanat International Airport|BAF Zahurul Haq Base]], lost contact with the control room around 11:10{{nbsp}}am, and crashed in the Bay of Bengal off [[Patenga]] around 11:30{{nbsp}}am.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bangladesh Air Force's fighter jet crashes into Bay of Bengal|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/baf-fighter-jet-crashes-bay-104962 |website=The Daily Star |date=30 June 2015 |access-date=6 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BAF F-7 Aircraft Crashes in Bay of Bengal: The Pilot of the Fighter Aircraft Goes Missing | url=http://aerobd.news/index.php/2015/06/29/baf-f-7-aircraft-crashes-in-bay-of-bengal-the-pilot-of-the-fighter-aircraft-goes-missing/ |website=Aerobd | author-last=Syed | author-first=Rajowan | date=29 June 2015 |access-date=6 October 2020}}</ref>
* On 24 November 2015, flying officer [[Marium Mukhtiar]]—the first female fighter pilot in the PAF—died when a twin-seat FT-7PG crashed at [[PAF Base M.M. Alam]] near [[Kundian]] in Punjab Province on a training mission. Both pilots ejected, but Mukhtiar died from injuries sustained on landing. She was occupying the rear seat for [[instrument flight rules]] training.<ref>{{cite news|title=PAF's fighter pilot dies in plane crash|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1222098/pafs-fighter-pilot-dies-in-plane-crash|access-date=26 May 2017|work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525230240/https://www.dawn.com/news/1222098/pafs-fighter-pilot-dies-in-plane-crash|archive-date=25 May 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="2015-11-24_DN">{{Cite web |last=Ansari |first=Usman |date=2015-11-24 |title=Pakistan's First Female Fighter Pilot Killed in Trainer Crash |url=https://www.defensenews.com/home/2015/11/24/pakistan-s-first-female-fighter-pilot-killed-in-trainer-crash/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Defense News |language=en}}</ref>
* On November 23, 2018, Bangladesh Air Force Wing Commander Arif Ahmed Dipu died when his F-7BG crashed in Tangail's [[Madhupur Upazila]] on a training mission. The fuel tank reportedly caught fire once the aircraft used weaponry in the sky, forcing the pilot to eject at low altitude.<ref>{{cite web |title=Yet another pilot killed as fighter craft crashes |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/56845/yet-another-pilot-killed-as-fighter-craft-crashes |website=[[New Age (Bangladesh)]] |date=23 November 2018|access-date=6 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pilot killed in BAF fighter plane crash |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/baf-training-aircraft-crashes-tangail-1664230 |website=The Daily Star |date=24 November 2018 |access-date=6 October 2020}}</ref>
*On 7 January 2020, a Pakistan Air Force FT-7 crashed while on a training mission near [[Mianwali]]. Both pilots were killed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Siddiqui |first1=Naveed |title=PAF plane on routine training mission crashes near Mianwali; 2 pilots martyred |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1526820/paf-plane-on-routine-training-mission-crashes-near-mianwali-2-pilots-martyred |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |access-date=7 January 2020 |date=7 January 2020}}</ref>
*On 15 October 2021, a [[Namibian Air Force]] F-7 [[runway excursion|overshot the runway]] while landing at [[Ondangwa Airport]], striking a security fence. A drag chute had failed to deploy.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 October 2021 |title=Namibian F-7 fighter badly damaged in runway overshoot |url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/namibian-f-7-fighter-badly-damaged-in-runway-overshoot/ |work=defenceWeb |location= |publisher= |access-date=7 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mwesigye |first=Mupenzi Vincent |date=18 October 2021 |title=A Namibian Air Force F-7NM fighter crashed At Ondangwa Airport. |url=https://theaviator.co.ug/a-namibian-air-force-f-7nm-fighter-crashed-at-ondangwa-airport/ |work=The Aviator Africa |location= |publisher= |access-date=7 June 2025}}</ref>
*On 24 May 2022, two [[Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force|Iranian Air Force]] pilots were killed when their FT-7 crashed near [[Anarak]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 May 2022 |title=Two Iranian pilots killed after F7 jet crashes, IRNA reports |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/two-iranian-pilots-killed-after-f7-jet-crashes-irna-2022-05-24/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref>
*On 9 June 2022, a PLAAF J-7 crashed in a residential area in [[Hubei]], China, destroying several houses and killing at least one person on the ground. The pilot ejected with minor injuries.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jiang |first1=Steven |title=Chinese military plane crashes in residential area, at least one dead |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/06/09/china/pla-plane-crash-china-intl-hnk/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=9 June 2022 |date=9 June 2022}}</ref>
*On 30 May 2025, a J-7 of the [[Air Force of Zimbabwe]] crashed shortly after takeoff from [[Gweru-Thornhill Air Base|Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base]] near [[Gweru]]. The pilot, Squadron Leader Ritswanetsi Vuyo Ncube, was killed. He had reported an uncontrolled fire before the crash.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-253432.html | title=Zimbabwe veteran pilot killed in Gweru jet crash | website=Bulaweyo 24 News | date=30 May 2025 | accessdate=21 July 2025}}</ref>
*On June 10, 2025, during the [[Myanmar civil war (2021–present)|Myanmar civil war]], an F-7M of the Myanmar Air Force crashed into a monastery in Sapar Sae village in [[Pale, Myanmar]]. It was conducting operations against resistance forces, and was reportedly shot down. The pilot was killed, as were five villagers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eng.mizzima.com/2025/06/13/23363 | title=Crash of Myanmar junta fighter jet kills five civilians in Pale Township amid ongoing clashes | date=13 June 2025 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | website=[[Mizzima News]]}}</ref>
*On July 21, 2025, a Bangladesh Air Force twin-seat trainer [[List of Chengdu J-7 variants#F-7BGI|FT-7BGI]], tail number 701, [[2025 Dhaka fighter jet crash|crashed]] in [[Uttara (neighbourhood)|Uttara]], Dhaka, Bangladesh, impacting the campus of [[Milestone College|Milestone School & College]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-21 |title=Air Force training aircraft crashes at Milestone College's Diabari campus, multiple casualties feared |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/training-aircraft-crashes-near-milestone-colleges-uttara-campus-1193076 |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Nathaniel |last=Lacsina |title=Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into Dhaka school, killing at least one |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/bangladesh-air-force-jet-crashes-into-dhaka-school-killing-at-least-one-1.500205468 |work=Gulf News |date=21 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref> At least 35 people, including the pilot, were killed, and 171 people (mostly students) were injured, making it the deadliest crash related to this aircraft to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75rprqwr67o|title=At least 32 dead after air force jet crashes into Bangladesh school|date=21 July 2025|website=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="AP 252">{{Cite news |date=July 21, 2025 |title=What to know about the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash into a Dhaka school |url=https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-air-crash-what-to-know-0bf295bac765d76f59567438b4dc05f5 |access-date=July 21, 2025 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|see also=
|related=
* [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]]
* [[Guizhou JL-9]]
* [[Shenyang J-8]]
* [[Project Sabre II]]
| similar aircraft=
* [[English Electric Lightning]]}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===

* {{cite book |last1 = Cooper |first1 = Tom |last2 = Fontanellaz |first2 = Adrien |title= Wars and Insurgencies of Uganda 1971–1994 |date= 2015 |publisher= Helion & Company Limited |location= [[Solihull]] |isbn= 978-1-910294-55-0 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |last2=Weinert |first2=Peter |last3=Hinz |first3=Fabian |last4=Lepko |first4=Mark |title=African MiGs, Volume 2: Madagascar to Zimbabwe |date=2011 |publisher=Harpia Publishing |location=Houston |isbn=978-0-9825539-8-5}}
* {{cite book |author1-last=Gordon |author1-first=Yefim |author1-link=Yefim Gordon |author2-first=Dmitry |author2-last=Komissarov  |title=Chinese Aircraft: China's Aviation Industry since 1951 |place=Manchester, UK |publisher=Hikoki Publications |date=2008 |isbn=978-1-902109-04-6}}.
* {{Citation |editor-last=Hacket |editor-first=James |title=The Military Balance 2010 |publisher=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |year=2010 |url=http://www.iiss.org/publications/military-balance/the-military-balance-2010/ |access-date=2011-06-27 |archive-date=2012-10-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012153727/http://www.iiss.org/publications/military-balance/the-military-balance-2010/ |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |title=World Air Forces 2023 |year=2022 |work=[[Flight International]] |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/2023-world-air-forces-directory/151088.article |access-date=29 July 2023}}
* {{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |title=World Air Forces 2024 |year=2023 |work=[[Flight International]] |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/2024-world-air-forces-directory/156008.article |access-date=2 December 2023}}
* {{cite book |author-last=Jackson |author-first=Paul |title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004 |location=Coulsdon, UK |publisher=Jane's Information Group |date=2003 |isbn=0-7106-2537-5}}.
* {{cite book |author1-last=Medeiros |author1-first=Evan S. |author1-link=Evan S. Medeiros |author2-first=Roger |author2-last=Cliff  |author3-first=Keith |author3-last=Crane |author4-first=James C. |author4-last=Mulvenon |title=A New Direction for China's Defense Industry |publisher=Rand Corporation |date=2005 |isbn=0-83304-079-0}}
* {{cite book| last1 = Brzoska| first1 = Michael| last2 = Pearson| first2 = Frederic S.| title = Arms and Warfare: Escalation, De-escalation, and Negotiation| publisher = [[University of South Carolina Press]]| date = 1994| location = Columbia, South Carolina| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=to7hS3Wlro4C| isbn = 9780872499829}}
* "World Air Forces". ''[[Flight International]]'', 14–20 December 2010. pp.&nbsp;26–53.
* {{cite book |last1=Olimat |first1=Muhamad S. |title=China and the Middle East Since World War II: A Bilateral Approach |date=27 October 2014 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=978-1-4985-0271-9 |pages=79–80 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b10dDQAAQBAJ |language=en}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Chengdu J-7}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110421075004/http://airforceworld.com/pla/english/j-7-fighter-china-mig-21.html F-7 Fighter Family]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120320084811/http://airforceworld.com/pla/english/jj7-FT7-trainer-mig-21-china.html FT-7/JJ-7 Trainer]
* [http://www.mig-21.de/english/technicaldataversions.htm Technical Data from MiG-21.de]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060510164108/http://www.sinodefence.com/airforce/fighter/j7e.asp Sino Defense Today]

{{MiG-21 family}}
{{AVIC Aero Products}}
{{PRC fighters}}
{{PRC trainers}}
{{Chinese Military Aircraft}}
{{USAF fighters}}

[[Category:Chengdu aircraft|J-7]]
[[Category:Guizhou aircraft|JJ-7]]
[[Category:1960s Chinese fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:1970s Chinese military trainer aircraft|JJ-07]]
[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]]
[[Category:China–Soviet Union relations]]
[[Category:Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1966]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Second-generation jet fighters]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]