Today's "First Flight Anniversary" - April 17th, 1966...
Copyrighted Photo by Shadman Samee
The Chengdu J-7 (Chinese: 歼-7; third generation export version F-7; NATO reporting name: Fishcan, is a People's Republic of China fighter aircraft. It is a license-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, and thus shares many similarities with that aircraft. The aircraft is armed with short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missiles and is mainly designed for short range air-to-air combat. The aircraft is also used for close air support.
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 multirole fighter, have succeeded it in the export market. To date, large numbers of J-7s remain in service with multiple export customers, with PLAAF retiring the fleet in 2023.
Three MiG-29 fighter jets from the Bangladesh Air Force were recently seen flying in a tight formation, showcasing impressive coordination and flight precision. The display highlighted the strength and operational readiness of the Bangladesh Air Force, which has maintained these Russian-made multirole fighters as a crucial component of its aerial defense capabilities. The MiG-29s, known for their agility and versatility, are frequently used for air defense missions and training exercises, underscoring Bangladesh's commitment to securing its airspace and enhancing military proficiency.