D
Air ForcesChina

J-7 (Fishcan)

Fighter aircraftFielded 1966Pending verification

Also known as: F-7 Fishcan

Air ForcesCHN
J-7 (Fishcan)
Photo: Shadman Samee from Dhaka, Bangladesh · CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeFighter aircraft
Alternative designationsF-7 Fishcan
Date of introduction1966
ProliferationAt least 4 countries
ManufacturerChengdu Aircraft Corporation/Guizhou Aircraft Industry CorporationMed[1]
Crew1Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length14.86 m49 ftMed[1]
Height4.1 m13 ftMed[1]
Wingspan7.15 m23 ftMed[1]
Wing area23 sq mMed[1]
Empty weight5,145 kg11,343 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine1 x Liyang Wopen 7 turbojetMed[1]
Speed2,175 km/h1,351 mph · 1,174 ktMed[1]
Service ceiling18,800 m61,680 ftMed[1]
Rate of climb9,000 m/minMed[1]
Armament and payload
Rocket Weapon Systems: rocket weapon system (option)55 mm rocket pod (12 rounds); 90 mm rocket pod (7 rounds)Med[1]
Bomb Weapon System: bomb capacity50 kg to 500 kg unguided bombsMed[1]
Armament2 x Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1; Autocannon; PL-5; PL-8; PL-9Med[1]
Fire control
Radar1 x SkyrangerMed[1]
Variants
NoteThe Following is a list of the J-7 Variants: Type 1962/62 series J-7 series J-7I series J-7II series J/F-7M Air Guard series F-7MP/P Sky Bolt series J-7III series F-7C series J-7E series J/F-7F series MiG-21 upgrade subcontract J/F-7MG series J/F-7PG series…[1]
Weapons and payload options · 5Confidence · Source
2 x Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1Autocannon
Med[1]
Range
1.8 km1 mi · 1 nmi
Type
Autocannon
Caliber
30 mm
Rate of fire
1,800 rounds/min
AutocannonWeapon
Med[1]
Quantity
60 rounds per gun
Caliber
30 mm
PL-5Air-to-Air Missile
Med[1]
Range
1–16 km1–10 mi · 1–9 nmi
Type
Air-to-Air Missile
Guidance
Infrared homing, multi-element, dual band detector(PL-5EII)
Warhead
6kg blast-frag, or expanding rod (RF-fuse)
Speed
Mach 2.5
Length
3.128 m
PL-8Air-to-Air Missile
Med[1]
Range
20 km12 mi · 11 nmi
Type
Air-to-Air Missile
Guidance
passive infrared homing
Warhead
11 kg high explosive
Speed
Mach 3.5
Length
2.95 m
PL-9Air-to-Air Missile
Med[1]
Range
22 km14 mi · 12 nmi
Type
Air-to-Air Missile
Guidance
multi-element infrared
Warhead
11.8kg blast-frag, or expanding rod (RF-fuse)
Speed
Mach 2+
Length
2.9 m
Summary

The Chengdu J-7 (NATO reporting name: Fishcan) is a People's Republic of China license-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2013, it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
ChinaEgyptMyanmarNorth Korea
Sources
  1. J-7 (Fishcan) Chinese Fighter Aircraft, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY-SA 2.0)