Israeli Air Force F-4E Kurnass

The F-4E Kurnass 2000

The F-4E Kurnass 2000 was a modernized version of the Israeli Air Force's (IAF) F-4E Phantom II fighter jets. The Kurnass 2000 entered service in 1989 and was retired in 2004. The modernization program included the installation of a new radar, the ANAPG-76, which was far superior to the ANAPG-120 used by the standard F-4E. The Kurnass 2000 was also equipped with the AGM-142 Popeye air-to-ground missile, which gave it a standoff strike capability. The Kurnass 2000 was a multi-role fighter that could perform a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, ground attack, and reconnaissance.

Service History

The Kurnass 2000 entered service with the IAF in 1989 and quickly became one of the most important aircraft in the IAF's inventory. The Kurnass 2000 participated in the Gulf War and in the 2006 Lebanon War. In the Gulf War, the Kurnass 2000 was used to attack Iraqi airfields and other targets. In the 2006 Lebanon War, the Kurnass 2000 was used to attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

The Kurnass 2000 was retired from service in 2004. However, the IAF is currently planning to upgrade some of its remaining F-4E Kurnass fighters to the Kurnass 2000 standard. The upgraded aircraft will be equipped with new avionics and weapons, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile. The upgraded Kurnass 2000s are expected to remain in service with the IAF for many years to come.