South Korea Retires F-4E Phantom Jets and AGM-142 Missiles After 55 Years of Service

The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has officially retired its fleet of F-4E Phantom II fighter jets and AGM-142 "Popeye" air-to-surface missiles after 55 years of service. The retirement comes following the conclusion of final live-fire exercises on April 18, 2024, just weeks before the Phantom's scheduled retirement in June.

The F-4E Phantom, a highly versatile jet that served as the frontline tactical aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps from the Vietnam War to the Gulf War, was first acquired by South Korea in 1969. Until the introduction of the KF-16 in 1994, the Phantom was South Korea's primary fighter jet, with the country operating around 220 Phantoms and their variants over the past 55 years.

The AGM-142 "Popeye" missiles, originally developed in the early 1980s by the Israeli defense technology firm Rafael, were integrated into the South Korean Air Force in 2002. A total of 36 South Korean F-4Es were modified to employ the AGM-142, which was capable of precisely targeting Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, from the closest air base in South Korea, about 50 miles away.

The final live-fire exercise involving the F-4Es firing the AGM-142 missiles and Mk 82 500-pound bombs was conducted on April 18. An official ceremony to mark the Phantom's retirement in South Korea is scheduled for June 7 at Suwon Air Base.

Why this matters: The retirement of the F-4E Phantoms and AGM-142 missiles marks the end of an era for South Korea's air defense capabilities, as the country transitions to newer and more advanced aircraft and weapons systems. This move is part of South Korea's ongoing efforts to modernize its military and ensure it remains prepared to defend against potential threats from North Korea.

The retirement of the F-4 Phantoms and the AGM-142 missiles coincided with the largest annual U.S.-ROK air exercise, "KFT Korea Flying Training," which involved over 100 aircraft from both nations, including F-16s, F-35Bs, A-10s, and various reconnaissance and transport aircraft. The exercise aimed to improve interoperability and bolster the defensive posture in the region as South Korea continues to strengthen its air defense against North Korea.

Key Takeaways

• ROKAF retires F-4E Phantom II jets and AGM-142 "Popeye" missiles after 55 years of service.
• F-4E Phantom was ROKAF's primary fighter jet until 1994, with over 220 operated.
• AGM-142 missiles integrated in 2002, capable of targeting Pyongyang from South Korea.
• Retirement marks end of an era as ROKAF modernizes its air defense capabilities.
• Retirement coincides with largest annual U.S.-ROK air exercise to bolster regional defense.