F-7 Fighter Jet: Reverse Engineering of MiG-21 – Full Details About the Chinese Aircraft That Crashed in Bangladesh
The F-7 fighter jet, often nicknamed the Grandpa Fighter Jet, is a Chinese-built aircraft developed through reverse engineering of the iconic Soviet MiG-21. The aircraft has been part of the air forces of several countries for decades, including Bangladesh, where a tragic accident involving the F-7 occurred recently.
Deadly Crash in Bangladesh
On Monday, a Chinese-origin F-7 fighter jet crashed in a densely populated area of Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh, striking the premises of a local school and college. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 20 people and left 171 others injured. The crash has sparked renewed attention on the aircraft, especially its design origins and current operational status in various air forces.
The Origins: A Joint Venture with the Soviet Union
The roots of the F-7 go back to 1960 when China and the Soviet Union signed a cooperation agreement to produce the MiG-21, one of the most iconic supersonic fighter jets of its time. Initially, both nations collaborated on manufacturing the aircraft. However, by 1962, the Soviet Union had provided China with technical documents and blueprints, and production was shifted to the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation in China.
When diplomatic and political relations between China and the Soviet Union soured in the early 1960s, the agreement collapsed. In response, Chinese engineers at the Shenyang factory began a meticulous reverse-engineering process of the MiG-21’s F-13 model. During this process, they identified around 249 issues that needed correction. Chinese engineers re-evaluated critical components, leading to the development of a new aircraft: the J-7, which eventually became the export-friendly F-7.
While externally similar to the MiG-21 — especially in its delta wing design and nose-mounted air intake — the Chinese version had several internal differences, setting it apart as a unique aircraft in its own right.
Modifications and Improvements by China
As part of the reverse engineering, Chinese aerospace engineers made a series of modifications and upgrades to the MiG-21’s original design. One of the most significant issues in the original MiG-21 was an unstable hydraulic system. China addressed this flaw effectively in the F-7.
Another major design concern was the aircraft’s fuel distribution. In the MiG-21, most of the fuel was located in the forward fuselage, leading to instability after 45 minutes of flight. The Chinese engineers tackled this problem by rearranging the fuel tanks and integrating larger external drop tanks to extend the aircraft’s range and improve stability.
The F-7 was also fitted with China’s own WP-7 engine, modeled after the Russian Tumansky R-11 engine used in the MiG-21. For armaments, the jet included a 30mm cannon similar to the Soviet NR-30 and air-to-air missile capability using the PL-2 missile, a Chinese counterpart to the Russian AA-2 Atoll missile.
Manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group
The responsibility for mass production of the F-7 fell to the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, which is today renowned for manufacturing advanced Chinese fighter jets such as the J-10 and the stealth J-20. Over time, the F-7 went through several iterations, each improving upon the previous version.
The J-7II model, for example, featured a better ejection seat for pilot safety and an upgraded WP-7B engine for improved performance. These improvements enabled China to export the F-7 fighter jets to multiple countries around the globe.
Adoption by Bangladesh
Bangladesh has been a long-term user of the F-7 fighter aircraft. The country entered into a military agreement with China to acquire these jets as part of efforts to modernize its air force. The F-7s operated by Bangladesh are single-engine, lightweight fighter aircraft, well-suited for both air defense and light attack roles.
Bangladesh received its final batch of F-7 aircraft in 2013. Over the years, the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has made several modifications to modernize these jets and keep them combat-relevant.
The F-7s in Bangladesh are considered to be among the most advanced versions of this aircraft model in operation today. Compared to the versions used by other countries like Egypt and Pakistan, Bangladesh’s F-7 jets come with a fully digital glass cockpit, multi-function displays, and HOTAS (Hands-On Throttle and Stick) controls. These upgrades significantly enhance the pilot’s situational awareness and responsiveness during flight operations.
Performance and Combat Capabilities
The F-7 fighter jet, despite being based on a 1960s-era design, still holds respectable performance specifications. The jet is capable of reaching a top speed of Mach 2.2 (about 2,700 km/h) and can climb to a service ceiling of 57,420 feet. It is equipped to carry a variety of weaponry, including:
- Air-to-air missiles
- Unguided bombs
- 30mm cannon rounds
- Drop tanks for extended range
These features enable the F-7 to perform both interception and limited ground attack missions.
Global Operators of the F-7
Besides Bangladesh, several other nations have operated or continue to operate the F-7 fighter jet. These countries include:
- Pakistan – The largest operator with over 120 F-7 aircraft
- Iran
- Nigeria
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- North Korea
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Sri Lanka
- Zimbabwe
- Egypt
Each country has acquired different variants based on their specific requirements and the period of purchase.
Conclusion: A Legacy Jet Still in Action
The F-7 is a symbol of China’s early ambitions in military aviation and its ability to reverse-engineer and improve upon foreign technology. Although the aircraft is now considered outdated compared to modern multi-role fighters, it remains in use due to its cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and simplicity.
The recent crash in Bangladesh has reignited discussions around the safety and viability of continuing to operate legacy aircraft like the F-7. However, the aircraft’s long history, widespread adoption, and numerous upgrades show that the jet still has a role to play in many developing countries’ air forces.
As aviation technology continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how much longer the F-7 will stay airborne — but its story, starting from Soviet designs and extending across continents, is undoubtedly a fascinating chapter in the history of global military aviation.