枭龙战机的性能是否因其与米格-21的设计相似而受限？抑或在传承经典设计的同时，它仍具备现代战机的卓越性能？

Eugene Chia
JF-17 isn’t based on MiG-21, and frankly it doesn’t take an aerospace engineer to figure that out.
JF-17并非基于米格-21设计，坦白说，不需要航空工程师也一眼能看出来。


JF-17


MiG-21
米格-21

They really don’t look alike at all. About the only thing they share is the fact that both would be considered relatively light fighters now. MiG-21 was originally designed as an interceptor though.
两者根本看不出相似之处。唯一共同点大概是如今都算作“轻型战斗机”。不过米格-21最初是作为拦截机设计的。

JF-17 originally used a tweaked version of the MiG-29’s engine, but is supposed to be getting new Chinese ones in later variants. It was designed to be relatively low cost.
JF-17最初采用了经过改装的米格-29发动机，但后续型号将换装全新的中国引擎。该机型的设计目标是成本较低。

MiG-21 is obsolescent, with most users either in the process of retiring them or having already done so. JF-17 is much more modern.
米格-21已经逐步退役，大多数用户国要么正退役，要么已退役。相比之下，JF-17要现代许多。

Qi Chen
Question: Is the JF-17's performance limited by its design similarities to the MIG-21, or does it offer modern capabilities despite this?
问：JF-17的性能是否因设计上“类似米格-21”而受限？它是否还是一款具备现代能力的战机？

Answer:
答：

JF-17 and MiG-21 went divergent ways since 1980s.
自上世纪80年代以来，JF-17和米格-21已经走上完全不同的发展道路。

EDIT: Note, this analysis will involve quite a few comparisons which Indian readers will not like. This is unfortunately necessary, since 90% of Pakistan’s air force’s reason of existence is to fight India. So I can’t exactly get around it. So you can avoid read this post if those bits felt offensive.
补充说明：以下分析中会涉及一些印度读者不喜欢的对比，但鉴于巴空军90%的存在理由是抗衡印度，这些对比在所难免。如感到不适，可跳过此段。

Basically, JF-17 is a joint developed by China and Pakistan in the 1980s and based on the Chinese “super J-7” program. The “super” is actually in the program, originally referring to the improving radar, engine and electronics beyond the ability of third generation jet fighter (which, J-7, MiG-21 belongs to).
JF-17是上世纪80年代中国与巴基斯坦联合研制的战机，源于中国“超级J-7”计划。“超级”即指雷达、发动机和电子设备性能超出第三代喷气式战斗机（J-7、米格-21同属第三代）的水平。

Essentially, the program was China’s original effort to develop fourth generation fighter aircraft. The program is latter on discontinued in favor of the more immediately available Su-27 program (which eventually produced the later J-11, J-15, J-16). But it also has a spirit successor in China in the form of J-10, which formed the foundation of J-20 program, with J-36 being the newest generation.
本质上，该计划是中国早期研制第四代战机的尝试。后来因苏-27项目更为成熟，中国转而发展苏-27平台（后衍生J-11、J-15、J-16）。但“超级J-7”的精神继承者是J-10，它又成为J-20项目的基础，而最新一代则是J-36。

As the result, despite being originally based out of a third generation program, by the time JF-17 materialized, it is a full-fledged fourth generation aircraft with even some technology from fifth generation.
因此，尽管最初源自第三代机项目，JF-17一经亮相已是一款完全意义上的第四代战机，甚至融合了部分第五代技术。

Yes, JF-17’s DSI inlet and third generation AESA are both fifth generation fighter technology.
没错，JF-17的DSI进气道和三代AESA雷达都是第五代战机技术。

Fun fact, JF-17’s radar went through several around of change, at one point it was supposed to use AN/APG-83 which was supposed to be used for radar upgrade on US’s F-16 and APG-83 was developed as a light version of F-22 and F-35’s radar. However, as of 2025, the JF-17s are using Chinese KLJ-7AV2, which was similar lightweight version of radars used in fifth generation aircraft (since it is Chinese, it is from J-20 and J-35).
有趣的是，JF-17的雷达经历多次更换，一度计划采用美制AN/APG-83（为F-16升级而开发，是F-22/F-35雷达的轻量版）。但截至2025年，JF-17采用了中国自研的KLJ-7AV2，它也是第五代战机雷达的轻量版（源自J-20与J-35）。

This basically highlights a key difference between Pakistan and India. Pakistan has a lot better access to high tech gear compared to India. Mostly because Pakistan isn’t trying to be major power, so it actually just acts like a customer went for shopping. So they sent orders to China and US and the designers there come back with designs.
这也凸显了巴基斯坦与印度在高科技装备获取上的差异。巴方更像“客户”角色，向中美下单，设计方就提供现成方案；而印度则试图自立门户。

In comparison, India is trying a bit too hard to show it is an equal partner. Yes, self-sufficiency sounded like a good motto, but if you are the lesser partner in the matter, then it is important for you to know your limits and act with the proper humility. The Chinese certainly never tried to sound self-important when they are learned from the Russians and Americans, because that kind of pride is pointless and just irritate your teachers.
相比之下，印度试图显示“平起平坐”，强调自给自足固然不错，但如果实力处于弱势，就需知止而行。中国在向俄美学习时从不高调自夸，因为这种骄傲既无意义又会惹恼“老师”。

Oh and let’s not forget, Pakistan’s payment is generally timely (mostly because Saudi Arabia is actually the one paying the bill).
别忘了，巴基斯坦付款相当及时（主要是因为账单实为沙特买单）。

In comparison, India has this weird habit that they believe that making the full payment agreed upon by the contract is somehow a sign of weakness and defeat. BTW, this is the core reason why India military purchase is generally way more expensive comparing to other countries. Because once you have to deal with India trying to get out of the payment for a few times, you started to jack up the initial payment to make sure those payment will be sufficient to cover your expense and profit margin.
而印度却有个怪习惯，认为完全按合同付款是示弱与失败的体现。这也是印度军购通常比他国昂贵的核心原因——供应商在屡次被拖欠后，只能大幅提高预付款，以保证覆盖成本和利润。

Coming back to JF-17. It is a fourth generation fighter period and by European standard, it is actually 4.5 generation, since most of the key parameters are either from fourth generation fighters or retro-upxed version of fifth generation fighter technology.
回到JF-17本身，它是一款第四代战机，以欧洲标准看甚至属于4.5代，因其绝大多数关键性能要么源自第四代要么是第五代技术的“复刻”升级版。

Its biggest limitation is that it is a single engine light fighter. So its payload and range is limited by its very nature as a light fighter.
其最大局限在于单发轻型战斗机的定位，故其载荷与航程受限。

Also, it is also relative “slow” (Mach 1.6 top speed) in a sense. No, JF-17 isn’t actually slow comparing to the fourth generation multiple role fighters and way faster than F-35 due to F-35’s design issues, but it is actually slow by third generation fighter standard.
此外，从某种意义上说，它也较“慢”（极限1.6马赫）。这并非与第四代多用途战机或F-35相比有多慢（事实上其速度比F-35还快，后者因设计牺牲了部分极速），而是相较于第三代机确实逊色。

Fun fact, in general, the fourth generation fighters are much slower than third generation fighters. This is because third generation fighters, due to the lack of reliable long range missile, generally has to get to within visual range to engage the enemy aircraft. This means if your radar saw nuclear warhead carrying bombers coming towards your border, your third generation fighter have to get there in short order.
有趣的是，第四代战机普遍比第三代战机速度更慢。这主要是因为：第三代战机受限于当时远程导弹技术尚不成熟，往往需要逼近目视距离才能与敌机交战。这意味着——当雷达发现携带核弹头的轰炸机朝边境飞来时，你的三代机必须争分夺秒火速拦截。

This is why you got monsters like MiG-25, or J-8, both can flight into Mach 2.5 range if needed.
这也是为什么会有米格-25、歼-8等“怪兽”机型出现，它们在必要时速可达2.5马赫级别。

In fact, even among the fifth generation fighter, the only one that can for sure out-fly the third generation fighter is the newest batch of J-20S with twin WS-15 engines. Otherwise even the F-22 cannot out fly J-8 in short burst (F-22 will beat J-8 in a sustained cruise, but not in top speed.)
事实上，就连第五代机中，唯有最新批次的双WS-15歼-20S能在短时极速上超越第三代机。即便是F-22，在短促加速上也不敌歼-8（虽长期巡航时F-22占优，但极速不及歼-8）。

As the result, by mission profile, the light-third generation fighters (which was the origin of JF-17) is actually a bit too slow.
因此，从任务定位上看，第三代轻型战机（也是JF-17的出身）确实有些偏慢。

On the other hand, the very reason fourth and fifth generation fighter didn’t need to be that fast in the first place is because they got missiles that can go way faster than an aircraft with a meat sack pilot in there. So JF-17’s Mach 1.6 top speed is sufficient (at least against India).
另一方面，第四、第五代战机之所以无需过分追求极速，是因为它们拥有远超任何喷气机的导弹。故JF-17的1.6马赫顶速已绰绰有余（至少对印度而言）。

Marcello Gusberti
Design similarity to the MiG-21 is an HELL of a good starting point for any plane.
与米格-21在外形上“类似”，对任何飞机来说都是非常不错的设计起点。

Plane kicked ass in the sixties/seventies and kept kicking ass, and F-15 ones, up to Cope India exercises in 2004.
米格-21在六七十年代大显身手，之后连F-15都难以撼动，甚至在2004年的“印度之盾”（Cope India）演习中表现出色。

So, absolutely not a limitation for JF-17 own performances, that are instead reduced by the increment of weight they have endured to kept an utility also in the recent scenarios i.e. more fuel/payload and a larger radar.
因此，所谓“与米格-21类似”绝不是JF-17性能的局限。它真正的性能牺牲，源自为了适应现代需求而不断加装更多燃油、弹载和更大的雷达所带来的重量增加。


Salman Naveed
The JF-17 was never meant to be the cutting edge of the fleet or a qualitative driver. It was meant as a backbone fighter capable of interception, air defence, strike and ISR roles.
JF-17从未定位为舰队尖端或质量驱动者，而是作为一款能执行截击、防空、打击和情报监视侦察（ISR）任务的主力战机。

Also, it was meant as a cheap alternative to the hundreds of older A-5s (which the PAF has retired), F-7/F-7PGs (which are being phased out) and Mirages (which are being phased out). These diverse aircraft cost much more to maintain due to each having different maintenance requirements. Now, the single JF-17 can perform several roles but has the same engine, avionics etc. This saves on MRO costs by introducing a degree of similarity in ground infrastructure and skill-sets of pilots and engineers.
此外，JF-17旨在替代数百架已退役的歼-5、正在退役的歼-7/歼-7PG和幻影系列机型。这些老机型因维护需求各异，维护成本极高。而单一机型的JF-17在执行多种任务时可共享发动机、航电等系统，有助于降低地面维护、维修和运行（MRO）成本，并统一飞行员与工程师的技能体系。

The Thunder was not meant to be a competitor to the F-16 (which, however, is losing its edge to it) or to another high end aircraft like the Gripen, Rafel, Tornado, Flanker or Typhoon.
“雷电”战机并非要与F-16（尽管F-16正被其逐步替代）或“阵风”“飓风”“侧卫”“台风”等高端机型竞争。

It was meant to be a cheap aircraft which the PAF could use to form its new fighter fleet. Also, the JF-17 could introduce new technologies such as air to air refuelling, AESA radar, BVR missiles and precision strike to the wider fleet, thus being its backbone and allow seamless integration of logistics and maintenance in wartime by ensuring a degree of commonality between individual units due to shared spare parts and components.
其定位是一款廉价机型，供巴空军组建新一代战斗机部队。同时，JF-17还能向全军队推广空中加油、AESA雷达、超视距导弹和精确打击等新技术，成为主力，并在战时借助统一的备件与组成件实现物流与维护的一体化。

Also, the Thunder will gradually add to its technological superiority by increasing the use of composites in the airfrx, a higher thrust engine, IRST, HOBS BVRAAMs, a targeting pod, a nose hard-point and an AESA radar.
此外，“雷电”还将通过在机体结构中更多采用复合材料、更高推力发动机、红外搜索与跟踪系统（IRST）、高轨道后掠弹（HOBS BVR AAM）、目标指示吊舱、机头挂点以及AESA雷达等升级，逐步提升其技术优势。