Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
Chengdu J-7
Category
Country
Production
1965–2013
Quantity
2,400
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · COLD WAR
25
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the air superiority fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1966
- Service Entry Year1967
- Crew1
- Primary RoleAir superiority fighter
- GenerationThird generation
- In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine TypeLiyang Wopen-13F
- Engine ModelWP-7
- Number of Engines1
- Thrust (dry, each)63
- Thrust (afterburner, each)93
- Thrust-to-Weight0.9
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel2,100 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed2,200 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)2.1 Mach
- Cruise Speed900 km/h
- Stall Speed210 km/h
- Service Ceiling17,500 m
- Ferry Range3,000 km
- Combat Radius700 km
- Rate of Climb195 m/s
- G-Limit9
- Takeoff Run500 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length14.884 m
- Wingspan8.32 m
- Height4.5 m
- Wing Area23
- Empty Weight5,292 kg
- Loaded Weight7,200 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight9,100 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints4
- Weapons Payload2,000 kg
- Internal Gun2× 30 mm Type 30-1 cannon, 60 rounds per gun
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesYes
- Nuclear CapableNo
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarCL ranging radar
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteNo
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkNo
- Targeting PodNo
⬢Production2MOD.2
- Total Built2,400
- Operators12
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2023
- Production Start1965
- Production End2013
- Operational StatusOperational (some operators still active)
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1965Production started
- 1983First deployment: Second Sudanese Civil War
- 2008Sale: Nigeria (12 units)
- 2013Production ended
61
years in service
48
years in production
2,400
units produced
11
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 3 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Inventory4country · 88units
88active
Chengdu J-7SALES4records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 |  Nigeria | 12 | — | — |
| — |  Bangladesh | 16 | — | — |
| — |  Albania | 12 | — | — |
| — |  North Korea | 40 | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
05 / MASS Score
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS RANKING Air Superiority Fighters · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
187AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS25COLD WAR · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS339PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA · ALL WEAPONS75PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAir Superiority Fighterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources