BAF F-7s Taxing & Landing in 4K...

[GumNaam]

I don't care who says what, but F-7s are by far the best MiG-21 versions ever produced with the F-7 G versions being the top beasts of these beauties...enjoy!

 

[Crimson Blue]

What role are they using their F-7 for?

With Burma having Mig-29 & JF-17, Bengali F-7 has no AA role anymore.

 

[That Guy]

What role are they using their F-7 for?

With Burma having Mig-29 & JF-17, Bengali F-7 has no AA role anymore.

Probably mainly for show.

Isn't bangladesh replacing its fleet of f-7? @UKBengali @Bilal9

 

[GumNaam]

Probably mainly for show.

Isn't bangladesh replacing its fleet of f-7? @UKBengali @Bilal9

I"m just sayin' its the best MiG-21 variant out there even compared to the bison. Having said that, I firmly believe that it is a deadly short range, close in, visual dogfighter. in today's age of BVR, it wouldn't stand much of a chance HOWEVER (and this is where thinking outta the box plays in) under the COVER of BVR capable fighters, it can wreak havoc on the enemy. Let's take PAF or BAF for example...imagine F-7s flying under the BVR cover of PAF's JF-17s or F-16s of the PAF or under the BVR cover of BAF's MiG-29s...the BVR missiles are fired at the enemy that would have to turn or take a nose dive to take evasive actions and while it is trying to save itself from the BVR missiles, the F-7s go it for the kill...if the BVRs kill the enemy then well and good but even if it gets away, it gets no breather cuz the F-7s will either be gunning them down or firing short range AAMs at it.

 

[Bilal9]

I"m just sayin' its the best MiG-21 variant out there even compared to the bison. Having said that, I firmly believe that it is a deadly short range, close in, visual dogfighter. in today's age of BVR, it wouldn't stand much of a chance HOWEVER (and this is where thinking outta the box plays in) under the COVER of BVR capable fighters, it can wreak havoc on the enemy. Let's take PAF or BAF for example...imagine F-7s flying under the BVR cover of PAF's JF-17s or F-16s of the PAF or under the BVR cover of BAF's MiG-29s...the BVR missiles are fired at the enemy that would have to turn or take a nose dive to take evasive actions and while it is trying to save itself from the BVR missiles, the F-7s go it for the kill...if the BVRs kill the enemy then well and good but even if it gets away, it gets no breather cuz the F-7s will either be gunning them down or firing short range AAMs at it.

Excellent analysis and agree 100%. The F-7BGI's we have are very capable lightweight maneuverable platforms for the WVR scenario under the cover of BVR capable fighters, owing to the latest batch having full glass cockpits of Chinese origin, and their double delta wing planforms.

The rate of success in WVR dogfights is more certain under BVR cover, and some of the BVR automation in newer fighters gives false confidence and hope to current crop of pilots with 'push-button' training. In a close-in dogfight scenario, the determined and trained pilot with steel nerves and a 25/30mm dumb cannon wins every time. Running away trailing schaff and flares won't help.

By the way - I also heard last year that some SE Asian AF (Myanmarese?) have ordered the latest variant of the F-7, the Guizhou FTC-2000. Compared to the F-7BGI, the wings were made larger, more advanced, with seven hardpoints. It is capable of firing BVR guided munitions similar to those used by the JF-17, such as SD-10, and also the CM-102 anti-radiation missile, and various guided and non-guided bombs. It uses the Liyang WP-13 engine, a variant of the Tumansky R13 used in later Mig 21 versions.

However I'm willing to say that as long as Hindutvas have a say so with Hasina (IMHO they surely do), we won't be getting full BVR capable fighters (and guided munitions) for a while to trump anything India fields in the sky or be remotely capable to tackle/resist IAF in an adversarial capacity. Hindutvas will and have made sure of it, thanks to Hasina. I will be happy to eat my own words if I'm proven wrong.

I don't honestly know if the upgraded MiG-29 9-13's (?) we have (not SMT's for sure) have that capability or have even partial BVR capability.

@Destranator, @Michael Corleone and @Ronin bhais may have latest info...

 

[GumNaam]

Excellent analysis and agree 100%. The F-7BGI's we have are very capable lightweight maneuverable platforms for the WVR scenario under the cover of BVR capable fighters, owing to the latest batch having full glass cockpits of Chinese origin, and their double delta wing planforms.

However I'm willing to say that as long as Hindutvas have a say so with Hasina (IMHO they surely do), we won't be getting full BVR capable fighters (and guided munitions) for a while to trump anything remotely capable to tackle or even resist IAF in an adversarial capacity. Hindutvas will and have made sure of it, thanks to Hasina.

I don't honestly know if the upgraded MiG-29 9-13's (?) we have (not SMT's for sure) have that capability or have even partial BVR capability.

@Destranator, @Michael Corleone and @Ronin bhais may have latest info...

Agreed. Hasina either needs to behave herself or she needs to go! Bangladesh cannot afford to let its guard down no matter how prosperous the economy gets. Being rich but without a strong, effective defence means that any neighbor can literally just steal your wealth at will...

Bangladeshi F-7s have full glass cockpits??? PIC PIC PIC!!!

 

[Bilal9]

Probably mainly for show.

Isn't bangladesh replacing its fleet of f-7? @UKBengali @Bilal9

All earlier F-7 versions are retired (mothballed) AFAIK.

Only some BG and BGI versions inducted around 2012 are left I believe.

@Destranator, @Michael Corleone and @The Ronin bhais your thoughts.

 

[DalalErMaNodi]

F-22 Raptor slayer.

 

[Bilal9]

Agreed. Hasina either needs to behave herself or she needs to go! Bangladesh cannot afford to let its guard down no matter how prosperous the economy gets. Being rich but without a strong, effective defence means that any neighbor can literally just steal your wealth at will...

Bangladeshi F-7s have full glass cockpits??? PIC PIC PIC!!!

Ha ha ha Pictures are hard to get. There was a Facebook picture once available showing HOTAS and various flight computers and sensors, posted to one of the PDF threads here ("Poor man's F-16" ?) but that Facebook image got deleted very quickly. Take my word for it, the cockpit for BGI looks very different from the regular F-7

@The Ronin bhai do you know of or have any images of the Pilot's office in these aircraft?

By the way - some reports suggest (don't know how believable) that our F-7BGI's are going to be equipped with Roketsan kits for laser guided bombs, which boasts accuracy (CEP) of closer than 3m. Take it with a grain of salt (not the performance, but us actually getting these things)....

 

[SpaceMan18]

F-22 Raptor slayer.

Lol it slays F-35s by making F-35 pilots laugh to death

 

[GumNaam]

Ha ha ha Pictures are hard to get. There was a Facebook picture once available showing HOTAS and various flight computers and sensors, posted to one of the PDF threads here ("Poor man's F-16" ?) but that Facebook image got deleted very quickly. Take my word for it, the cockpit for BGI looks very different from the regular F-7

@The Ronin bhai do you know of or have any images of the Pilot's office in these aircraft?

By the way - some reports suggest (don't know how believable) that our F-7BGI's are going to be equipped with Roketsan kits for laser guided bombs. Take it with a grain of salt....

I know for a fact that back in the day before the induction of the JF-17s, the F-7s were the ONLY aircraft that was able to gun an F-16 down in close air combat...

 

[bluesky]

Probably mainly for show.

Isn't bangladesh replacing its fleet of f-7? @UKBengali @Bilal9

Mig-21/F-7 was called the poor man's F-16 once upon a time. It is still a good fighter plane. Both India has Mig-21 and Pakistan has F-7s. Usually, a country keeps the old but good ones and adds new planes.

But, our Pundit brats think BAF would buy new planes and destroy the F-7s as if these were bought free of cost. Very silly knowledge on how things work in the airforces and this is how these two guys love to portray BD as a rich country.

 

[Nasr]

What role are they using their F-7 for?

With Burma having Mig-29 & JF-17, Bengali F-7 has no AA role anymore.

Didn't Bangladesh Air Force have MiG-29s? Wouldn't they be fulfilling the Air Superiority role?

 

[Michael Corleone]

By the way - I also heard last year that some SE Asian AF (Myanmarese?) have ordered the latest variant of the F-7, the Guizhou FTC-2000. Compared to the F-7BGI, the wings were made larger, more advanced, with seven hardpoints. It is capable of firing BVR guided munitions similar to those used by the JF-17, such as SD-10, and also the CM-102 anti-radiation missile, and various guided and non-guided bombs. It uses the Liyang WP-13 engine, a variant of the Tumansky R13 used in later Mig 21 versions.

This at a glance looks like a mashup of multiple fighters... the fuselage looks like a mig 21 the wings are swept vs delta, cockpit is redesigned and the nose... air inlets looks like j8- II
I couldn’t tell if this is more maneuverable but I reckon j7s still has edge on speed/ acceleration due to delta configuration

Didn't Bangladesh Air Force have MiG-29s? Wouldn't they be fulfilling the Air Superiority role?

They’re being upgraded for multi role now

Mig-21/F-7 was called the poor man's jet plane once upon a time.

Once upon a time as in now? Then yes.
back in their days they were some of the most advanced fighters...mig 21 engine for example is a copy of a rolls Royce that the British shared the tech with Soviet Union... there was hardly a fighter that could match it in kinematic performance... f104 although Mach 2 capable was hardly a fighter for dogfight, extremely unstable contributing to many crashes

All earlier F-7 versions are retired (mothballed) AFAIK.

Only some BG and BGI versions inducted around 2012 are left I believe.

@Destranator, @Michael Corleone and @The Ronin bhais your thoughts.

Heard of 3-4 MB still active for training, although I’m sure none are put on daily patrol duty
@The Ronin may shed more on this

 

[The Ronin]

What role are they using their F-7 for?

Probably mainly for show.

Interceptor, ground attack and training role.

Isn't bangladesh replacing its fleet of f-7? @UKBengali @Bilal9

Not yet.

I don't honestly know if the upgraded MiG-29 9-13's (?) we have (not SMT's for sure) have that capability or have even partial BVR capability.

8 Mig-29 and BM upgrade is comparable to SMT upgrade.

Guizhou FTC-2000. Compared to the F-7BGI, the wings were made larger, more advanced, with seven hardpoints. It is capable of firing BVR guided munitions similar to those used by the JF-17, such as SD-10, and also the CM-102 anti-radiation missile, and various guided and non-guided bombs. It uses the Liyang WP-13 engine, a variant of the Tumansky R13 used in later Mig 21 versions.

Well, it breaks my heart to say this but this may be the CHEAPEST (সস্তার বাপ, সেভেন আপ) option BAF can get if it comes with BVR and anti-radiation missile. Can this fire WVR, cause i couldn't find any data?

Buy this in large number with full ToT or MRO rights, integrate third party systems/weapons if necessary and leave the rest to two/three twin engine heavy MRCA squadrons. This is the Chinese alternative of KAI T/FA-50 i talked about before to kill two birds (training-combat) with one stone.
এরপরও যদি কিছু না অয়.........আর কি কইতাম।

All earlier F-7 versions are retired (mothballed) AFAIK.

Only some BG and BGI versions inducted around 2012 are left I believe.

@Destranator, @Michael Corleone and @The Ronin bhais your thoughts.

Heard of 3-4 MB still active for training, although I’m sure none are put on daily patrol duty
@The Ronin may shed more on this

BG was inducted when Golapi was PM. MB version is still operational in 25 squadron (Trendsetters). Photo was taken in last November. Even the first F-7 in the video is MB version.

@The Ronin bhai do you know of or have any images of the Pilot's office in these aircraft?

AFAIK the former the air chief whose tenure was during BGI's procurement said that BGI will have three MFD. But no photo is available. @LKJ86 do you have any photo of F-7BGI's cockpit? Are the photos below of BGI's cockpit?

Cockpit of F-7 BG "Airgurd"

By the way - some reports suggest (don't know how believable) that our F-7BGI's are going to be equipped with Roketsan kits for laser guided bombs, which boasts accuracy (CEP) of closer than 3m. Take it with a grain of salt (not the performance, but us actually getting these things)....

Yes, the report is BELIEVABLE. You even read that Looks like age plays trick with everyone's memory. BAF is also buying Mk-81 bomb and (possibly) reconnaissance pod for F-7.

Roketsan's Teber laser guidance kit will be integrated in BAF F-7BG

Google translation: The TEBER Guidance Kit developed by Roketsan will be integrated into the combat aircraft in the inventory of Bangladesh Air Force Command. According to information obtained by SavunmaSanayiST.com on the subject; Bangladesh Air Force inventory located in Chengdu F-7BG...

defence.pk

https://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/doc/4699.pdf?fbclid=IwAR19UU56ztQXgrZR-qkoM94CO9HvGV6cAq8M3fahjHnTa17SvCp44IvcILA

https://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/doc/4334.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1V2Qt4cdbok8N7WMnfOFGzFicmXw-rkyorrZarViHbAgh9Zdkkw1XGSrk