JH-7/JH-7A/JH-7B Thread

[Deino]

How many aircraft are there per JH-7A unit Deino? Also if they all get replaced by J-16 and also Su-30 will probably get replaced by J-16 too, this means at this rate J-16 production will continue for like until 2030 right? Isn't that a bit late for a 4.5 gen?

In fact I don't know for sure ... most JH-7A units we know had about 24-30, but it seems as if recently additional numbers were added, so maybe they received additional ones from the units converted.

As for replacements with J-16 ... again I'm not sure, but my feeling tells me that the MKK units are more likely to gain J-20

 

[SeriousPLANLover]

In fact I don't know for sure ... most JH-7A units we know had about 24-30, but it seems as if recently additional numbers were added, so maybe they received additional ones from the units converted.

As for replacements with J-16 ... again I'm not sure, but my feeling tells me that the MKK units are more likely to gain J-20

hmm interesting. So that is probably some 4-5 years of production left including 2024. I guess orbat is not this threads topic but is a final number of 500 J-16 aircraft a good ballpark assumption? Tho probably there will be some 100 more or so J-16D. Which means 600 J-16 variants in total.

 

[Deino]

I sort of refuse to believe PLAAF would be retiring jh7a, made in early 2000s, before j7, even if they are G variant. Jh7a are certainly far more useful than j7. All that to say, i find it unlikely that as of mid 2024 there are still j7 units active.

Since you just mentioned it ... An interesting update via @huitong:

"The latest image (August 2024) indicated that the newly transferred JH-7As started to wear yellow serial numbers on the vertical fins, similar to JH-7A2."

However the numbering system behind the number 83286 is not clear to me!

 

[defenceman]

Since you just mentioned it ... An interesting update via @huitong:

"The latest image (August 2024) indicated that the newly transferred JH-7As started to wear yellow serial numbers on the vertical fins, similar to JH-7A2."

However the numbering system behind the number 83286 is not clear to me!

View attachment 134171

Hi,
probably last two digits were 95 which been repainted 86 now
thank you

 

[Deino]

Hi,
probably last two digits were 95 which been repainted 86 now
thank you

I think with the numbers totally redone at the tails could mean they are in fact totally new and that what / how they in fact appear to me.

 

[SeriousPLANLover]

Since you just mentioned it ... An interesting update via @huitong:

"The latest image (August 2024) indicated that the newly transferred JH-7As started to wear yellow serial numbers on the vertical fins, similar to JH-7A2."

However the numbering system behind the number 83286 is not clear to me!

View attachment 134171

What does newly transferred mean? Does it mean it is new production??? I have a hard time believing in year 2024 China is producing new JH-7A/A2.

 

[Deino]

What does newly transferred mean? Does it mean it is new production??? I have a hard time believing in year 2024 China is producing new JH-7A/A2.

Transferred from Naval Aviation to the PLAAF

 

[Deino]

Since you just mentioned it ... An interesting update via @huitong:

"The latest image (August 2024) indicated that the newly transferred JH-7As started to wear yellow serial numbers on the vertical fins, similar to JH-7A2."

However the numbering system behind the number 83286 is not clear to me!

View attachment 134171

In fact I am confused ... Seems as if the number is in fact more likely 83296, which would correspond to the original number it wore since years when still flying under the former 9th Naval Air Division, 27th AR (unit 92098) or later under the 9th Naval Air Brigade. In fact I'm surprised since I would have expected either a totally new number, a system that fits within the PLAAF system and not just in yellow the original numbers!??

Do we have any hints about the new units designation? Some say they are currently listed as "809 Air Brigade" (空809旅), which would be aligned to "8" = former PLAN and "9" = former 9th NABr.

 

[Deino]

Another news, surprise & mystery !

Allegedly another ex-PLAN NA JH-7A now with new PLAAF serial numbers was seen, but this one spots the number 72076, which - unlike the other recently JH-7A no. 83296 seen - does not fit the old PLAN pattern not the PLAAF pattern.

Does this mean ...

1. it is fake? (number is psed?)

2. it's indeed true and the PLAAF re-formed a new brigade aka the 116th Air Brigade?

3. former PLAN aircraft are numbered by a different pattern? (not yet understood?)

4. there is no formal system established yet?

 

[johncliu88]

83296 & 83395 are on pictures taken by Thai photographer during China-Thailand military exercise. Thanks to the original poster.