IAF still using A4-M's? I thought these were retired
and sold off long ago...?
I believe F-15E Strike Eagles are the bird du jour for the IAF. Consult JANE or Globalsecurity.org for current armaments of friends and foes.
I liked the picture. Look, if you were some 7th century jihad wacko and saw that Israeli fighter jet heading for your tent it would not matter if they were 'retired'. :)
Image is an A-4N. The Israelis still use and are upgrading the A-4s in service. Used for training, but would still have an emergency wartime role.
'Defense Ministry picks RADA to upgrade A-4 Skyhawk aircraft
The current order is valued at $2.8 million. A follow-on $1.2 million order is expected in a few months.
Globes correspondent 5 Jan 04 19:05
RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: RADIF) announced today it was selected by the Israeli Ministry Of Defense to upgrade the Israeli Air Force A-4 "Skyhawk" aircraft with modernized avionics systems.
RADA specializes in avionics, ground debriefing stations (video, ACMI and maintenance) and automatic test equipment.
The main goals of the modernization are to replace aging avionics components and improve the training capabilities of the aircraft, thus significantly reducing its maintenance cost. The RADA team for the program includes the Lahav division of IAI, a highly experienced aircraft upgrade and integration house.
The modernization program of the Israeli Air Force A-4 "Skyhawk" aircraft began in January 2003, when RADA was awarded a $2.0 million contract to equip the aircraft with an advanced debriefing system, which has now completed its flight-testing phase. The second step, which was activated on January 1st, 2004, includes replacement of the old avionics units onboard the aircraft with modern equipment having a value of $2.8 million, and a serial production order for an approximately $1.2 million is expected within a few months.
The A-4 "Skyhawk" was the backbone of the IAF attack fleet in the 1980s and recently it became the IAF's advanced trainer used both in the flight academy and as lead-in trainer for the modern fighters (F-15 and F-16). The IAF is planning to continue operating the A-4 as an advanced trainer at least until 2010.
RADA president Brig. Gen (Res.) Herzle Bodinger said, "We are proud that the IAF has demonstrated its confidence in RADA's capabilities and are certain that this program will enable RADA to provide similar solutions for other customers with similar needs."
RADA VP business development Zvi Alon said, "This program places RADA among a small number of aerospace companies that can provide complete avionics upgrade solutions and enables RADA to propose similar upgrades to any existing training aircraft aligning it with the front line trainers in the world."'