The Kfir is an all-weather multirole combat aircraft produced by the Israel Aircraft Industries. It was mainly based on the French Dassault Mirage III / 5 airframe, but it adopted several improvements as the Israeli-built version of the powerful and reliable General Electric J79 turbojet engine or a complete new set of avionic equipment. Kfir programme has been originated to develop a more effective version of the IAI Nesher. The Kfir entered in service in 1975 and was assigned to fighter squadrons. During the time, some updated versions came out as the Kfir C7 charcterised by a powerful engine, better avionics and inflight refuelling capability. However, with the introduction of the new F-15, the reliable and robust Kfir changed its main role and it was used to perform strike missions. It is armed with two 30 mm. guns and it can load several types of missiles, bombs and rocket launchers.