The Lavochkin La-7 (given the NATO code name 'Fin' post-war) was the final wartime development of the highly successful La-5 design, incorporating a number of incremental improvements that resulted in exceptional performance and handling compared to its main Luftwaffe rivals (namely the Bf 109G and Fw 190A). The most obvious difference between the La-7 and the La-5FN was the more streamlined cowling, which had the air intakes relocated to the wing roots while the oil cooler was moved towards the center of the fuselage. Although primarily made of wood, the La-7 also featured greater use of metal alloys which by the final phase of the war were no longer in critical supply. Aside from these changes, both the powerplant and armament remained indentical to those of the La-5FN although production aircraft were quickly upgunned with three B-20 20-mm guns. Overall, the La-7 was considered the finest Soviet fighter of the war along with the Yak-3, particularly excelling in low altitude combat; it was faster at sea level than any of its peers. Top Allied ace Ivan Kozhedub achieved 17 of his final 62 kills flying the La-7 and his tally included a Me 262 jet. Production of the La-7 continued after the war until 1946 where it remained in service with the Soviet and Czechoslovakian air forces into the 1950s.

First flight of a modified La-5FN that would serve as the prototype of the La-7 had its first flight on 1 February 1944 with combat service commencing in September of that year. No major variants of the main fighter were built although production units swapped their two ShVAK cannons for three B-20 cannons from January 1945, this becoming the standard fighter configuration. Various experimental versions were built as prototypes but the only other variant to enter production was the La-7UTI trainer.