Chengdu F-7A Chengdu F-7M . Note the underwing PL-2 missiles
Africa Namibia During August 2005, Namibia ordered 12 F-7NMs for its air force; Chinese sources reported the delivery in November 2006. The model procured is believed to be a variation of the F-7PG acquired by Pakistan with Grifo MG radar.
Nigeria In early 2008, Nigeria procured 12 F-7NI fighters and three FT-7NI trainers to replace its existing inventory of MiG-21 fighters. On September 20, 2018, two Nigerian F-7Ni aircraft crashed into Katamkpehir, Abuja, killing one pilot after a mid-air collision during a rehearsal of an aerial display for the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence.
Sudan During the lengthy
Second Sudanese Civil War, Sudan procured a number of F-7s. In November 1993, it was reported that Iran had allegedly financed Sudan's purchase of around 20 Chinese ground-attack aircraft, having pledged $17 million in financial aid to the Sudanese government and arranged for $300 million in Chinese arms to be delivered to the Sudanese Army. ;Tanzania The
Tanzanian Air Force deployed its F-7As during the
Uganda–Tanzania War against Uganda and Libya, fought between 1978 and 1979. Forming a major component of Tanzania's combat aircraft, the type facilitated the defeat of the nominally stronger
Uganda Army Air Force during the air campaign. ;Zimbabwe Due to their very limited operational capabilities in the absence of ground support from radars, Zimbabwean F-7s were never used in combat operations during the
Second Congo War. Their only deployment in the DR Congo took place in January 2001, when four aircraft were to participate in the burial ceremony for the assassinated president,
Laurent-Désiré Kabila. During the journey from Zimbabwe to
Kinshasa, one of them crashed, with its pilot ejecting safely. Moreover, on the return trip, two aircraft were damaged on landing, although both were repaired and returned to service.
Europe Albania The deployment of F-7As near the country's northern border successfully checked
Yugoslav incursions into Albanian airspace in 2002.
East and Southeast Asia China Throughout the mid-1990s, the PLAAF began to replace its J-7B inventory with the substantially redesigned and improved J-7E variant. The wings of the J-7E have a new "double delta" design offering improved aerodynamics and increased fuel capacity, and the J-7E also features a more powerful engine and improved avionics. The newest version of the J-7, the J-7G, entered service with the PLAAF in 2003. The principal role of the J-7 in Chinese service is to provide local air defense and tactical air superiority. Large numbers are to be employed to deter enemy air operations. In June 2021, four J-7s participated in a combat drill conducted near Taiwan's air defense identification zone.
Myanmar During the 1990s, Myanmar reportedly established four squadrons of F-7s, which have been primarily used for air defense duties. Technical difficulties have reportedly plagued the fleet early on, and their ground-attack performance was not deemed sufficient.
Middle East Iran During the 1980s, Iran procured a number of F-7s, despite Chinese officials issuing denials of directly supplying military equipment to the country at that time. Despite its use as a frontline fighter, the type has not been involved in any known air to air combat actions. By the 21st century, it was largely relegated to use as a trainer aircraft. The second confirmed strike was on the 21st of March, 2026 where a single J-7 was destroyed by
USAF/
CENTCOM strikes on
Shahid Sadooghi Airport in
Yazd Province.
Iraq 20 J-7Bs were initially constructed between 1981 and 1982 for delivery to Jordan by the Third Ministry of Machine, with the first flight of these aircraft taking place in May 1982. 60 F-7Ms transferred from Jordan in a similar way to Iraq in 1985. Iraqi F-7Bs were never officially used in combat used in combat, but only as advanced trainers. In 1988, Jordan also acquired JJ-7 trainers and delivered them to Iraq. By 1999, only about 32 to 34 were operational, with a lack of parts and support, and were mainly used as weapons training platforms. They were withdrawn from service after the 2003 Invasion of Iraq and subsequent dissolution of the old Iraqi forces.
South Asia twin-seater
FT-7BGI inflight with F-7BGI's
Bangladesh The
Bangladeshi Air Force currently operates FT-7MB Airguards, and F-7BG and F-7BGI interceptors. That same year, Grumman and China initiated a new design study in another attempt to redesign the F-7 but that effort was also abandoned when the U.S. placed sanctions on China in response to the 1989
Tiananmen Square protests. In 1991, a third initiative involving the F-7 was launched; originally known as the Fighter China project, it led to the creation of the
JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter. The aircraft satisfied a requirement issued by the Pakistani Air Force for an affordable and modern combat aircraft, and the country is in the process of replacing its entire F-7 fleet with JF-17s.
Sri Lanka In 1991, the
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) was looking for a jet
attack aircraft to provide fast close air support to its army. With western countries refusing to sell attack aircraft, the Government of Sri Lanka approached China for the purchase of several
Nanchang Q-5s, which had the range and payload capacity needed by the SLAF, and was already used by Pakistan and Bangladesh. Due to pressure from the west, China agreed to sell a small number of F-7BS fighters which allowed the SLAF to restore its capabilities that were lost a decade back. Due to the type's comparative lack of endurance and payload, the SLAF has periodically used its F-7s for pilot training purposes. Early in 2008, the air force received six more advanced F-7Gs, to use primarily as interceptors. All of the F-7Gs, F-7BS' and FT-7s are flown by the
No 5 Jet Squadron. ==Variants==