F-7 fighter jet aging
Staff Reporter :
The aircraft that crashed on the campus of Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara area has been identified as a single-engine, lightweight F-7 fighter jet, manufactured by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Domestically known as the J-7 in China, the aircraft is designated as the F-7 for export purposes.
Originally developed between the 1960s and 1990s, the J-7 served as one of the highest-performing and fastest jets in China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
Its design is largely based on the Soviet-era MiG-21, according to defence aviation portal Airforce-Technology.com.
Aviation website Aerospace Global News (AGN) reports that the F-7 is tailored to the specific needs of importing nations. Each variant carries suffixes to indicate its configuration. For instance, Bangladesh’s imported models are marked with a “B”.
Versions featuring digital glass cockpits use the letter “G”, while upgraded models are marked with an “I” for “Improved”. These enhanced variants typically include modern avionics, radar systems, and digital displays.
Globally, F-7 jets are employed for air defence, multi-role operations, and pilot training. However, industry experts note that the aircraft has a higher accident rate than more modern fighter jets. This is primarily attributed to its dated airframe, limited safety features, and the lack of advanced flight control systems.
History of F-7 Crashes Several crashes involving F-7 jets have occurred in Bangladesh and other countries over the past two decades.
” In April 2008, an F-7 trainer jet crashed in Pahari Para village, Ghatail, Tangail, killing Squadron Leader Morshed Hasan. Technical malfunction was suspected.
” In June 2015, an F-7MB 416 model went down in the Bay of Bengal off Chattogram shortly after take-off. The pilot, Tahmid Rumman, was reported missing after the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control.
” In November 2018, an F-7BG crashed during a training mission in Madhupur, Tangail, killing pilot Arif Ahmed. The aircraft caught fire upon impact, roughly 25 minutes after departing from Dhaka.
F-7 crashes have also been reported internationally.
In Pakistan, incidents in November 2015 and January 2020 resulted in the deaths of three pilots, as reported by Dawn and Anadolu Agency. Most recently, on 24 May 2022, Daily Sabah reported that an F-7 crash in Isfahan, Iran, claimed the lives of two pilots.
According to aviation analysts, the F-7’s low level of automation demands heightened concentration from pilots, particularly during high-speed or low-altitude manoeuvres – making training missions inherently riskier than with newer-generation jets.