KFIR
IAI completed an upgrade package for the Kfir in 1993, based on the cancelled Lavi fighter's avionics. It completed delivery of six aircraft to Sri Lanka in January 1996. The Philippines and Slovenia also remain potential customers for ex-Israeli air force aircraft, with Ecuador interested in procuring additional numbers.
The only Kfirs exported until now have been 12 to Ecuador, 13 ex-Israeli air force - C7s to Colombia, and the six to Sri Lanka. The Colombian aircraft were delivered in August 1989, without all the updated avionics requested. The Kfir-C7 and two-seat -TC7 have an uprated GE J79-J1E engine. The latest -C10 upgrade incorporates the Elta EL/M 2032 multi-mode radar. A proposal to replace the Kfir's GE J79-J1E engine with Snecma's 70kN Atar 9K50 may open the way to exports previously blocked by the USA.
PHALCON
Israel's Elta Electronics has produced an AEW aircraft, known as the Phalcon, based on a Boeing 707 airframe. Chile has ordered at least one of this type. The aircraft is equipped with a derivative of the EL/2075 L-band solid-state radar. Israel is also in discussions with China about fitting the Phalcon AEW and ELINT equipment on an Il-76 airframe.
PHANTOM UPGRADES
Israel and Turkey finalised the financing of a Phantom upgrade in the third quarter of 1996. IAI is to upgrade 54 aircraft for the Turkish air force with an Elta, rather than Norden, radar. IAI has upgraded 130 Israeli air force McDonnell Douglas F-4s under the Phantom 2000 programme.
MIRAGE UPGRADES
Two Mirage III/5 upgrade options are offered by IAI's Bedek division. The first option replaces the Mirage's Snecma Atar 9 engine with an 80kN GE F404/RM12, providing a 30% thrust increase and improved specific fuel consumption. The second option includes installing an Elta EL/M 2032 multi-mode radar. A more comprehensive upgrade has been proposed to potential collaborative partners.
Source: Flight International
