The IAF has finally destroyed its aging fleet of fighter jets that went into service in the late 1960s. The aircraft were used during the Yom Kippur War and remained part of the fleet until 1996.
As of 2015, F-4 variants were still in service with the Egyptian, Greek, Iranian, Japanese, South Korean and Turkish air forces. Israel tested the market value of its F-4Es around the world, but found little interest. Ultimately, military planners decided destroying the jets would be the best move, Jerusalem Online reported Friday. The demolition costs wound up being $11,000 per jet, the JOL report added.
The two-seater warplanes were the main air superiority aircraft in the Israeli fleet until F-15 and —16 combat jets were introduced. Israel has agreed to buy Lockheed Martin F-35s for future warfare efforts.