ROKAF has retired its remaining F-4E Phantom fighter-bombers jet with a final flight ceremony in Suwon Air Base.
The Aviationist reports that the final flight of the two F-4s were accompanied by ROKAF’s modern fighters: F-16, FA-50, F-15K, and F-35A. This symbolic transition signifies the succession of ROKAF’s retired F-4 Phantoms by the advanced F-35A and the indigenously developed KF-21 fighter jets, heralding a new era in ROKAF’s aviation capabilities.
ROKAF has operated various F-4 variants from the 20th century, including the F-4D, RF-4C, and the last U.S. version, the F-4E. While the Asian country considered an upgrade programme in the 1990s, the plans were cancelled in favour of newer aircraft.
While ROKAF has retired its F-4 Phantoms, some countries like Turkiye still use the fighter-bomber with extensive upgrades. Turkiye’s F-4E Phantoms can carry a variety of indigenously made air-to-surface munitions, including guided bombs and the SOM cruise missile. The jets are still used for air-to-ground missions and are maintained in the 1st Air Maintenance Factory Directorate in Eskişehir.
ROK Retires the Last F-4 Phantom Fighter-Bombers
