The F-7 Paradox: Formidability vs Vulnerability 

Dhaka understands how thin the line truly is between routine and catastrophe from years of fires, train crashes, and freak accidents involving its infrastructure. But after an unprecedented incident that shook the city deeply, the skies have become unsafe too. What should have been a routine Air Force training flight instead unfolded into a nightmare that manifested in the form of the burning wreckage at the Milestone College campus. The tragedy not only claimed young lives and devastated a school community, it also raised serious concerns about the safety of the capital’s airspace.

An investigation led by Lieutenant General SM Kamrul Hassan, the committee interviewed 150 people and reviewed 168 pieces of evidence, finding no mechanical failure. It recommended moving initial Air Force training flights outside Dhaka for public safety. The tragedy was worsened by the Milestone School building, which lacked Rajuk approval, violated the Bangladesh National Building Code, and had inadequate fire exits and staircases. Unregulated construction in newly added Rajuk zones also contributed. [Dhaka Tribune]

The report issued 33 recommendations, including upgrading Barishal and Bogura airstrips, equipping airport fire stations with foam tenders, enforcing height restrictions, banning high-risk buildings near airports, and ensuring consistent building code enforcement. The Chief Adviser ordered urgent implementation by the Air Force, Rajuk, and CAAB, highlighting systemic failures in flight operations, urban planning, and safety oversight. [The Business Standard]

The crash raised urgent questions: Was it human error, flawed infrastructure, or broader oversight failures?

The fundamental problems at hand

On the day of the crash, a Bangladesh Air Force FT-7BGI trainer went down at Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, critically injuring Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar, who later became one of the 19 reported fatalities. Initial reports mistakenly suggested the pilot had died immediately, but he was alive when rescued. Emergency responders detected his pulse and flew him by Mi-17 helicopter to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), where he was admitted to the CCU.

Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam Sagar, had completed a dual flight with an instructor earlier that day and was attempting his first solo mission. Shortly after take-off, the aircraft stalled mid-air and became unresponsive, causing him to lose control. Though the control tower urged him to eject earlier, the jet was flying too low for a safe ejection. He had attempted to guide the aircraft to an empty patch of land in Diabari, but the vehicle would not cooperate. Seeing no other alternative, he made the decision to eject at low altitude, which ultimately contributed to his death.

The incident underscores the risks of military flights over densely populated areas in Dhaka. The FT-7BGI, a Chinese-made aircraft used primarily for training and light combat, crashed directly into a school campus, highlighting the vulnerability of the city under frequent flight paths. But, a significant part of the problem is to be found in the aircraft itself. Developed in the 1960s by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), the J-7/F-7 underwent over a dozen iterations, with more than 2,400 units produced and deployed in over 17 countries. Bangladesh first received 12 F-7s in 1998, with further deliveries until 2013, including the final batch of 16 F-7BGIs.

Experts and former Air Force officials cite several contributing factors for these crashes: outdated aircraft with limited performance, mechanical issues, pilot error, bird strikes, and unplanned urbanization violating designated flight corridors. Despite recommendations to modernize the fleet with more advanced aircraft, BAF continued to rely on older Chinese and Russian trainers, leaving pilots at risk. The 21 July crash highlights the vulnerability of military flights over densely populated areas and underscores the systemic weaknesses in aircraft safety, urban planning, and oversight. [Dhaka Tribune]

The J-7BGI, (designated F-7 for export) is a Chinese-made derivative of the Soviet MiG-21, is primarily used for training and light combat roles. The MiG-21, developed in the 1950s in the Soviet Union, first flew in 1955 and entered service in 1959 as a lightweight supersonic jet fighter and interceptor for high-speed, high-altitude combat. It saw extensive use in the 1960s and 1970s in Vietnam, the Middle East, and South Asia, but early models demonstrated limitations in low-speed and low-altitude handling, contributing to multiple training and combat accidents.

The F-7BGI, which was produced for Bangladesh, is a single-engine, supersonic fighter with a delta-wing configuration, capable of ~2,175 km/h (Mach 2.0) and a service ceiling of ~17,500 meters, armed with cannons, missiles, and sometimes bombs. While it is lightweight, robust, and easy to maintain, it likely remains very unforgiving for novice pilots, has limited visibility during emergencies, and minimal safety redundancies, just like the MiG-21.

China developed the J-7 series in the 1970s–1980s as a derivative of the MiG-21, with the F-7BGI variant incorporating avionics and engine improvements to bring it closer to a 4th-generation status. But it still retains the MiG-21’s high stall speed, and limited safety features.

The Indian Air Force flew the MiG-21 Bison variant, a heavily upgraded variant that can be considered comparable to the F-7BGI with heavily upgraded avionics. According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), there were 468 recorded MiG‑21 accidents over its service life. Of those, 371 were fatal crashes. The MiG‑21’s accident rate in India has been calculated as 2.95 per 10,000 flight hours, and the Indian Air Force’s experience with it has been such that the controversies surrounding it formed a major plot point of 2006’s Rang De Basanti starring Amir Khan. [The New Indian Express]

It was designed to provide a very quick solution to the problem of US strategic bombers such as the B-52 being able to deliver nuclear payloads into the vastness of the Soviet Union’s territory. The design was specifically intended to be simple and capable of being mass-produced, with little thought given towards pilot safety and ease of use by novice pilots. Specifically dangerous tendencies of the design, such as high stall speed, are a result of its focus on being a high-speed interceptor. It was, after all, designed to speed towards US strategic bombers, fire its small complement of air-to-air missiles, and then speed back to base. This is why the MiG-21 achieved notable successes against USAF strategic bombing operations in northern Vietnam. The Vietnam People’s Air Force (VPAF) was deploying the MiG-21 for its intended purpose.

With no bombers or fighter-bombers to intercept, the design tends to misbehave at the slightest pilot errors, leading to tragedies such as Milestone.

Operationally, the F-7 served the Bangladesh Air Force primarily in air defence, interception, and advanced pilot training roles. It functioned as a quick reaction alert (QRA) aircraft, ensuring baseline airspace sovereignty at comparatively low operating cost. The aircraft was flown from multiple bases and used extensively in training sorties, often close to populated areas.

The F‑7, China’s export version of the MiG‑21, was inducted into the Bangladesh Air Force from the 1980s to 2013 to modernize its fleet cost-effectively, replacing older aircraft like the F‑6. Early F‑7MBs served as basic interceptors, while later F‑7BGI variants offered upgraded avionics, training support, and limited ground-attack capability; dual-seat F‑7BGI/Ts facilitated safe pilot transition to supersonic jets. Operationally, the F‑7 handled quick reaction alert, low-intensity combat air patrol, and symbolic deterrence, despite limitations in radar, missile range, and low-speed handling. Its supersonic capability at low cost allowed Bangladesh to maintain airspace sovereignty, train pilots, and conduct limited combat operations. Over four decades, the F‑7 remained a cost-effective multi-role asset, bridging gaps in air defense, training, and deterrence until modern replacements like the J‑10C became viable.

During the 2008 Bangladesh–Myanmar standoff, tensions emerged over offshore gas exploration and maritime boundaries in the Bay of Bengal as the confrontation was primarily naval and diplomatic in nature. Air power functioned mainly as a deterrent rather than an active instrument of escalation, and the F-7 jets were the main combat aircraft. [Reuters]

A glance at J-7/MiG-21 crashes experienced by the Bangladesh Air Force

Since 1992, the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has experienced at least 27 fighter jet and trainer aircraft crashes, resulting in multiple fatalities and raising concerns over flight safety, outdated aircraft, and urban encroachment around military zones. The Milestone crash has added to the grim tally and has emerged as the deadliest.

Historical records show frequent crashes of BAF aircraft, particularly Chinese-made F-7 variants, along with Russian Yak-130s and other trainers. From 2005 to the resent, BAF faced 11 notable crashes: 7 Chinese-made, 3 Russian-made, and 1 Czechoslovakian aircraft, often attributed to mechanical failures, human error, bird strikes, and urbanization near flight paths. However, crashes involving the F-7 and MiG-21 outpace the others in terms of number, apart from the PT-6 basic trainer. With the exception of the Milestone crash, the list involves the following: [bdnews24]

1. 1988 – BAF Base Kurmitola, Dhaka: MiG-21 piloted by Flight Lieutenant Aynul Habib crashed. The pilot was unable to eject. [Dhaka Tribune]

2. 26 October 1998 – Modhupur, Tangail:  A Bangladesh Air Force FT-7 crashed at Modhupur; the pilot was killed.  

3. 7 January 2001 – BAF Base Kurmitola, Dhaka: A Chengdu FT-7 trainer jet crashed after take-off; Squadron Leader Mohammad Mohsin was killed; another crewmember ejected and survived with injuries.  

4. 8 April 2008 – Ghatail, Tangail: An F-7 crashed near Ghatail upazila; Squadron Leader Morshed Hasan ejected but later died. 

5. 29 June 2015 – Bay of Bengal:  A BAF F-7MB disappeared from contact and crashed into the sea near Chittagong during a training sortie; debris was later recovered, and the pilot, Flight Lieutenant. Rumman Tahmid, was reported missing and presumed lost.  

It is not just Bangladesh that has had a bad time with its fleet of F-7s though, as China itself has been a notable sufferer. Romania recently experienced a crash involving its MiG-21 LanceR fleet (upgraded variant) that raised international tensions at a crucial moment in the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

The notable incidents involving the J-7/MiG-21 crashes elsewhere are listed below:

• 6 May 2010 – Near Jinan, China: A PLAAF J‑7 crashed due to engine failure during a training flight.
  
• 3 April 2011 – Liuzhou / Xincheng, Guangxi, China: A J‑7 (PLAAF) crashed during a routine training flight.
  
• December 2012 – Shantou, Guangdong, China: a Chengdu J‑7E fighter jet crashed in a suburban residential area near Shantou, Guangdong Province during a training mission. A mechanical malfunction caused the aircraft to lose control and hit a building, sparking a fire. Four people on the ground were injured, including a 26-year-old woman who was severely hurt; the pilot ejected safely. The fire, which caused local traffic disruption, was extinguished within a couple of hours. Military and emergency personnel responded promptly, and the injured were hospitalized.
  
• 24 November 2015 – Kundian, Pakistan: A twin-seat FT‑7PG of the Pakistan Air Force crashed during training; Flying Officer Marium Mukhtiar, who happened to be the first female PAF fighter pilot, died.
  
• 23 November 2018 – Madhupur, Tangail, Bangladesh: BAF F‑7BG crashed; Wing Commander Arif Ahmed Dipu died after ejection following a fuel tank fire.
  
• 7 January 2020 – Mianwali, Pakistan: PAF FT‑7 crashed during training; both pilots killed.
  
• 15 October 2021 – Ondangwa Airport, Namibia: A Namibian Air Force F‑7 overshot the runway on landing; no fatalities reported, drag‑chute failure noted.
  
• 24 May 2022 – Near Anarak, Iran: An Iranian Air Force FT‑7 crashed; two pilots died.
  
• June 2022 – Hubei, China: A Chinese PLA Air Force J‑7 fighter jet crashed in a residential area near Laohekou Airport in Xiangyang, Hubei province, during a training mission. The pilot ejected safely with minor injuries. The crash killed one civilian and injured two others, while several homes were damaged or set on fire. Emergency responders treated the victims, and authorities are investigating the cause.
  
• March 2022 – Cogealac and Gura Dobrogei, Romania: A MiG‑21 fighter jet and an IAR 330 Puma helicopter crashed separately in eastern Romania due to bad weather, killing eight military personnel. The jet went down near Cogealac, and the helicopter, sent to search for it, crashed near Gura Dobrogei. Authorities grounded all similar aircraft pending investigation. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with NATO reinforcements arriving to Romania’s eastern flank.
  
• 30 May 2025 – Gweru, Zimbabwe: J‑7 of Zimbabwe Air Force crashed shortly after takeoff; Squadron Leader Ritswanetsi Vuyo Ncube killed.
  
• 10 June 2025 – Pale, Myanmar: Myanmar Air Force F‑7M crashed into a monastery; pilot and five villagers died.

The case for training outside Dhaka

Problematic airframes aside, training flights should take place outside urban areas to ensure public safety, protect civilians, and allow safe, efficient military training. Fighter jet operations carry inherent risks of crashes or technical failures, and keeping bases away from densely populated areas minimizes potential casualties, as tragically illustrated by the 2025 Milestone School crash in Dhaka. Training outside congested urban spaces also provides the large, unobstructed airspace required for leaving room for error, alongside making room for high-speed maneuvers, takeoffs, and emergency procedures.

Additionally, it would reduce noise pollution and environmental impact on city populations. Some of the recommended locations for safer air operations include less densely populated regions such as Barishal, Bogura, Dinajpur, Rangpur, and Patuakhali, ensuring both operational efficiency and civilian protection.

Many countries locate their military airbases in sparsely populated or remote areas to minimize risks to civilians during training. In the United States, bases like Nellis AFB (Nevada) and Eglin AFB (Florida) have large, low‑population training zones. The United Kingdom’s RAF Waddington and RAF Cranwell are situated in rural or coastal areas, with exercises over open land or sea. Fast jet training for the RAF takes place on the island of Anglesey at RAF Valley, which is surrounded by very low population densities even by UK standards

Australia’s RAAF Base Williamtown operates in a less populated region with restricted airspace for fighter training. India conducts training at Kalaikunda AFS (West Bengal) and Bidar AFS (Karnataka), away from major cities, while Canada’s CFB Cold Lake in Alberta uses sparsely populated northern regions for minimal civilian exposure. In Pakistan, PAF bases such as Peshawar and Sargodha are located outside dense urban centers with dedicated military air corridors for training. [Military Installations, Royal Australian Air Force website]

The Bangladesh Air Force academy being located in Jessore is a good example to follow through. Because the presence of densely populated areas beneath military flight paths in Dhaka has turned everyday life into a high-stakes risk, as demonstrated by the Milestone School tragedy. The rapid expansion of the city without strict enforcement of aviation safety zones has exposed civilians to preventable dangers. Moving training flights and airbases away from urban centers, enforcing building regulations near flight corridors, and upgrading aviation infrastructure are crucial steps to protect lives. Without such measures, the city will continue to sit silently under a looming threat, where even routine military operations could have catastrophic consequences.

Key Takeaways 

1. On 21 July 2025, a Bangladesh Air Force F‑7BGI crashed into Milestone School in Dhaka, killing 36 people, including 28 students, and injuring 172, exposing the dangers of urban military flights.

2. The investigation concluded that the crash was caused by pilot operational error during Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar’s first solo flight, with no mechanical failure found.

3. The severity of the tragedy was worsened by the school building’s violations of building codes, inadequate fire exits, and unsafe construction in a newly added Rajuk zone.

4. The probe issued 33 recommendations, including relocating initial Air Force training flights outside Dhaka, upgrading regional airstrips, and enhancing fire and safety infrastructure at airports.

5. The F‑7BGI, a Chinese-made derivative of the Soviet MiG-21, is difficult for novice pilots to operate safely due to its high stall speed, limited safety features, and minimal automated flight controls.

6. The F-7 served the Bangladesh Air Force in air defence, interception, and advanced pilot training, operating as a quick reaction alert (QRA) aircraft from multiple bases, often near populated areas.

7. Early F-7 variants had basic radar, cannons, and short-range missiles, while the F-7BGI introduced improved avionics, HUD, and fire-control systems, but lacked modern beyond-visual-range missiles and networked combat integration.

8. During events like the 2008 Bangladesh–Myanmar standoff, F-7s acted mainly as a deterrent, with air power supporting diplomacy rather than frontline combat.

9. The F‑7 was inducted into the Bangladesh Air Force (1980s–2013) to modernize the fleet cost-effectively, with early F‑7MBs serving as basic interceptors, F‑7BGIs providing upgraded avionics and limited ground-attack capability, and dual-seat F‑7BGI/Ts supporting safe pilot training.

10. Operationally, the F‑7 provided quick interception, routine air patrol, and symbolic deterrence, allowing Bangladesh to maintain airspace sovereignty and train pilots, remaining a cost-effective multi-role asset until modern replacements like the J‑10C became feasible.

11. The Bangladesh Air Force has experienced multiple crashes since 1992, with Chinese F‑7 jets frequently involved; common causes include pilot error, mechanical issues, bird strikes, and urban encroachment near flight paths.

12. Similar F‑7 and J‑7 crashes have occurred internationally in China, Pakistan, Myanmar, Namibia, Iran, Zimbabwe, and Romania, sometimes causing civilian casualties and highlighting the risks of urban military operations.

13. Military bases and training flights within Dhaka continue to pose significant risks, making relocation to less populated regions such as Barishal, Bogura, Dinajpur, Rangpur, and other peripheral areas crucial for safety.

14. Internationally, countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India, Canada, and Pakistan place airbases in sparsely populated areas or over open land and sea to minimize civilian exposure during training.

15. The Milestone crash revealed systemic weaknesses in aviation safety, urban planning, and regulatory enforcement, underscoring the urgent need for stricter oversight, infrastructure improvements, and safer military flight operations.

Verification Note: Information is collected and cross-verified through multiple channels, including official information desks, credible social media sources, and established news outlets. Each source is assessed for reliability, with unsubstantiated or irrelevant claims excluded. The validated information is then systematically analyzed to derive conclusions.