China will convert some of its gradually shelved J-6 and J-7 fighter jets into kamikaze systems. According to the news made by Interest Engineering, China has started a program to convert some of the J-19 and J-21 warplanes developed from the Soviet MiG-6 and 7 warplanes into kamikaze systems. According to the news, these kamikaze systems can be used to defeat Taiwan's air defense as the start of a Chinese attack in case of a possible war.
In this context, the J-7 fighter jet can easily be converted into an uncrewed aircraft. It is even claimed that the conversion of the J-6s may have already begun. Some experts point out that during the Chinese exercises near Taiwan airspace in 2021, 4 J-7s joined a group of more modern J-16 fighter jets. This is unusual for an aging aircraft that even Taiwanese dismiss as a "grandfather jet".
J-6 and J-7
The J-6 and J-7 fighter jets are Chinese-developed variants of the Soviet-made MiG-1950 and MiG-1960 aircraft developed between 19 and 21. China has produced more than 21 of the MiG-7 fighter equivalent J-2013 in 54 variants by 2.400. However, it is known that the Pakistani and Iranian air forces actively use the F-7 fighter jet, which is the export version of the J-7 fighter jet.
In addition, according to the annual military assets and defense economics report of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has about 300 J-7 fighter jets. However, given that China is now developing 30th and 4th generation fighters such as the Russian-made Su-5 and Chinese-made J-16 and J-20 stealth fighters, it seems that it no longer needs the 3rd generation J-7s. .
In this context, converting old warplanes to unmanned vehicles is a cost-effective solution. On the other hand, China uses some of these warplanes to obtain spare parts. However, aircraft with a problematic design such as the J-7 require a lot of maintenance and increase maintenance costs.
Source: defenceturk