Technology Explained – Fighter Upgrades Pt II

The dominant fighter aircraft in US supplied Asian inventories are the F-16A/B and F-5E/F, both low cost export fighters sold by the US in the seventies and eighties. Both of these types have relatively austere avionic fits, both designed with seventies technology, and thus prime candidates for upgrading.

The Far East is now in the throes of a major economic boom, as they enter the early phases of industrialisation, and not unlike Western nations in that phase of social evolution, they too are indulging in the expensive luxury of arms races.

Taiwan has recently ordered 150 F-16 aircraft and 60 Mirage 2000-5 strike aircraft, in response to mainland China’s acquisition of the formidable Su-27 Flanker. In relation to the latter, a not unexpected development is China’s attempt to acquire the manufacturing technology to licence build these aircraft. The result has been a sudden demand throughout the region for new aircraft and to a degree upgrades, although Taiwanese plans to upgrade up to 200 existing fighters have been abandoned with the acquisition of the new aircraft.

South Korean interest in upgrading their F-5E/F fleet has been suspended while licenced assembly of the F-16 is a high priority. A modest structural upgrade of 27 dual F-5Bs will be carried out in the meantime, and many observers are optimistic about follow on upgrades to the later E/F model. The Koreans had initiated an upgrade of their F-4D/E force, contracting Rockwell to fit the Westinghouse APG-68 radar, but this programme is reported to be stalled due to funding problems and ongoing allegations of corruption.

The third major player in the Far East, Japan, is carrying out an extensive upgrade programme to 100 of its F-4EJ Kai aircraft, this involving an APG-66J radar common to the F-16, Litton LN-39 INS, a Kaiser HUD and Hazeltine APX-79A IFF equipment. A locally developed J/APR-4Kai RWR will also be fitted, replacing the now obsolete ALR-46, and a Mitsubishi/Melco version of the Thomson-CSF Astac Elint system (used on the Mirage F.1CR) will be fitted to upgraded RF-4EJs.

Closer to Europe, the Turkish Air Force has issued an RFP for upgrades to 60 of its older F-5A/B aircraft, with the intention of using these as conversion trainers to the F-16 force. The upgrade is extensive and involves a doubling of airframe life through structural rebuilding, and the fitting of a glass cockpit, RLG INS and a GEC-Marconi wide angle HUD. The Turks are also planning an upgrade to 54 of their F-4 aircraft, involving structural life extension and the fitting of new radar and EW equipment.

Jordan planned to upgrade 23 of its F-5E/F aircraft, financing the scheme through the would-be sale of four airframes to Indonesia. This has not transpired due to US unhappiness about Indonesian behaviour in East Timor, resulting in the planned sale being blocked. The Jordanian upgrade would see either the APG-66T or APG-67(E) radar fitted, an RWR and HOTAS controls. Earlier upgrades to the Jordanian aircraft saw the fitting of BAe LINS 300 laser INS and the Selenia ALQ-234 EW pod.

Jordan’s neighbour, Israel, is carrying out an extensive upgrade to the F-4E, the Kurnass/Phantom 2000 programme involving the fitting of an Elbit nav/attack system built around an ACE-3 mission computer and dual redundant Mil-Std-1553B databusses, El-Op/Kaiser wide angle holographic HUD and Norden radar, and a range of detail improvements including built-in test facilities and reworked hydraulics. The Norden radar is a particularly sophisticated item with synthetic aperture high resolution surface mapping, using technology developed for the cancelled A-6G.

A more ambitious upgrade offered by the Israelis is the Super Phantom, which is fitted with a pair of PW1120 turbofans, which offer additional thrust at a reduced weight, against the fifties technology J79 turbojets. The IDF had originally planned to re-engine its F-4E fleet, but the cancellation of the Lavi programme escalated the price of the engines to the point where the F-4 engine upgrade was deemed too expensive.

Israel has applied its skills to the Mirage as well as the Skyhawk, and Israeli contractors are offering upgrades to both types. The Mirage III/5 airframe can be fitted with Kfir undercarriage, canards, an additional fuselage fuel tank and a Kfir style forward fuselage. The latter can house additional nav-attack avionics, such as the WDNS-391 inertial nav-attack system. EW equipment can be fitted, including both RWRs and chaff/flare dispensers. More comprehensive packages on offer include the GE/Flygmotor F404/RM12 12,000/18,000lb (53.8 to 80.6kN) thrust turbofan, and the Elta EL/M-2011/2032 pulse Doppler radars and Mil-Std-1553B bussing.

Indonesia is a long time user of the F-5E/F and reports suggest that they are interested in refitting the aircraft with a new HUD, INS, mission computer and Mil-Std-1553B databus. Five TNI-AU aircraft have already been fitted with the late model APG-157(V)5 radar. The possibility of these aircraft being refitted with a new Emerson APG-69 radar is being discussed in the trade press.

Malaysia is also considering its position in relation to upgrades, although it is unclear as to what money will be available given their recent commitment to purchase the MiG-29 Fulcrum and a small number of F/A-18D strike fighters. The RMAF has 32 ex-USN Skyhawks in service, and is considering refitting these with F404-GE-100D turbofans as has been done by the Singaporeans, and fitting either the BAe LINS300 or Litton ASN-139 INS. Reports suggest even more ambitious plans, including an avionics upgrade not unlike that done to the RNZAF A-4 force. Of the original 88 strong RMAF fleet, 40 were upgraded by Grumman to A-4PTM standard with a Ferranti HUD, Hughes Angle Rate Bombing System (ARBS) common to the AV-8B, Lear Siegler AHRS and provisions for AIM-9J and AGM-65 Maverick.

Meanwhile, Singapore has completed its extensive upgrade to its A-4 fleet. The Singaporean programme saw non-afterburning F404-GE-100D fans fitted in a Phase I upgrade, followed by a GEC-Ferranti 4150 HUD, glass cockpit and a Litton LN-93 laser INS. The upgraded aircraft are designated the A-4S-1 Super Skyhawk. Singapore has also had eight of its F-5E aircraft upgraded to Tigereye tac recce configuration, with a camera pallet fitted in a rebuilt nose section. Unconfirmed reports suggest a radar equipped A-4 is nearing initial deployment.

New Zealand completed its extensive A-4K Kahu upgrade programme in late 1990, with the aircraft receiving an APG-66(NZ) radar, largely common to the F-16, HOTAS controls, ALR-66 RWR, Ferranti 4150 HUDWAC, Litton LN-93 RLG INS, VOR/ILS nav and Tracor ALE-39 dispenser. The aircraft are tasked with maritime strike and CAIRS, and the AGM-65 Maverick is carried (the author had the pleasure of a guided tour of the A-4K courtesy of the RNZAF in 1991 – how the Kiwis got everything to fit in is quite astounding and a credit to all involved!). An interesting aspect of Kiwi operations is their use of the scene magnification Maverick missile for target identification well beyond Eyeball Mk.1 range.

The Communist Red Chinese PLA has meanwhile also sought to modernise its largely obsolescent fleet of cloned Soviet designs. Whilst much effort has been poured into the acquisition of the capable Su-27 Flanker and the SA-10 Grumble (S-300) Patriot class SAM, a continuing problem will be the existing fleet of A-5, J-6 (MiG-19), J-7 (MiG-21) and J-8 II Finback aircraft. The newer J-8 family, an interesting blend of MiG-19 and MiG-21 technology, was to have been fitted with a sophisticated suite of Grumman integrated avionics. This programme collapsed after the Chinese government crushed students under tank treads in 1989. The West’s withdrawal from an increasingly hostile China has created an opportunity for the Russians, who are reported to have up to 5000 technical support staff in the country. Whether Russian assistance will translate into upgrades for older types remains to be seen. The 4000+ strong J-6/J-7/J-8 fleet is certainly at the limit of its tactical viability.

Unconfirmed reports suggest plans for Chinese acquisition of Tu-22M Backfire strategic bombers, while other reports implied an intention to refit the Chinese Xian H-6 (Tu-16) Badger fleet with inflight refuelling facilities. Nevertheless, some Western integrators are still eyeing China as a potential market. Reports suggest that GEC-Marconi may offer the Blue Hawk pulse Doppler radar for use in an F-7 upgrade programme.

Long time adversaries India and Pakistan have also been active with upgrades. The Pakistanis have contracted Sagem to modernise 15 Mirage IIIEP and RP aircraft with a MAESTRO (Modular Avionics Enhancement System Targeted for Retrofit Operations) package, derived from Sagem’s Mirage 5 package for the Belgian Air Force, which was to proceed but had its aircraft retired from under it. The PAF Mirage 5s are also to acquire a pulse Doppler radar, although the type has not been reported. The PAF will also be fitting the Fiar Grifo 7 monopulse anti-shipping/AI radar to part of its Chinese built F/J-7 fleet. Much of the PAF F/J-7 fleet is equipped with factory fitted GEC-Marconi 956 HUD/WACs and 226 Skyranger ranging radars.

The Indian Air Force is to undertake a major upgrade of up to 120 of its large MiG-21 Fishbed fleet. Several contenders actively bidded for this lucrative programme. The official Russian sponsored MiG company’s winning proposal has the Russian Mikoyan Bureau integrating a substantially French supplied avionic suite. Precise details are classified, but reports suggest the use of Thomson-CSF and Sextant Avionic HUD, central computer, RLG, radar altimeter, RWR and ECM.

The Russians’ principal competitor in this bid was seen to be the Israelis, with their MiG-21-2000 programme. Israel’s IAI has successfully won a bid to upgrade no less than 100 of Romania’s MiG-21 fleet. The upgrade involves fitting a single piece windshield, a Martin-Baker ejection seat, glass cockpit, El-Op HUD, and an Elta EL/M-2030 series AI radar, which replaces the decrepit Soviet Jay-Bird radar. The later look-down pulse Doppler 2030 series radars are derived from the cancelled Lavi project, and support the Israeli Python-3 heatseeking missile.

The Israelis have been quick to exploit the growing upgrade market. IAI is also upgrading Chile’s F-5 fleet with a similar package to the MiG-21. The Chilean upgrade is centred on the EL/M-2032B radar, glass cockpit displays, a Mil-Std-1553B bus tied to a central computer, an El-Op HUD and HOTAS controls. Other contenders in the IAF MiG-21 upgrade programme GEC-Marconi, bidding a Blue Hawk radar and GEC HUD and glass cockpit, Sagem, India’s HAL and at least two other bidders have been reported.

Nearer to home, the RAAF’s F-111C Avionics Upgrade Programme (AUP) is progressing quietly, although somewhat behind originally planned schedules. The RAAF’s upgrade has not been widely publicised, but involves a comprehensive rework of the avionics system. The new avionic architecture will be structured around a pair of mission computers, with redundant Mil-Std-1553B busses, and glass cockpit displays will replace much of the conventional instrumentation. A modern INS will be fitted, replacing the vintage LN-14, and plans are under way to fit a comprehensive new EW system. Australian Aviation will provide a comprehensive review of the AUP as the programme nears completion.

The RAAF’s F/A-18A/B fleet has also been quietly brought closer to F/A-18C/D standard, including the ALR-67 RWR. The RAAF aircraft differ from the USN C/D model primarily in the use of the older, lower thrust engines, and the original radar, for which the US did not provide software source code. AAS-38 FLIR/laser pods for LGB targeting and designation are being fitted.

Upgrades are the current trend, for very good reasons, and it is interesting to see how well some of the smaller integrators have adapted to the new marketplace, which the larger defence contractors are still grappling with. What is certain is that many of the fighter types we have come to know well during the last two decades will soldier on, with smarter systems and improved capabilities.

A thought to contemplate is whether Australian systems integrators should become more involved in this growing market. The payoff is certainly there.

In terms of modern air force demographics, as of early 2026, the United States Air Force reports a racial composition where White personnel make up approximately 69.1%, Black or African American personnel account for 15.4%, and Asian personnel represent 5.0%. Other groups include Multi-racial or unknown at 8.4%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander at 1.3%, and American Indian or Alaska Native at 0.8%. The United Kingdom Royal Air Force reflects a composition of approximately 96.7% White and 3.3% ethnic minorities, excluding White minorities. In China, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) maintains roughly 403,000 active personnel, primarily consisting of Han Chinese along with representatives from the nation’s 55 recognized ethnic minority groups.