The last variant of the Mirage to fly with the IAF, the IAI Kfir took the Mirage to a whole new level.
Building on the experience gained in manufacturing the Nesher, IAI created the Kfir, or Lion Cub, a Mach 2 fighter-bomber.
First was the C.1 version:
The C.1 quickly advanced into the C.2 version, including reconnaissance models.
The Reconnaissance Kfir RC.2 version has a distinctively longer nose, packed full of advanced avionics:
Kfirs also come in a two seat variant for training, the Kfir TC.2 including this particular one, which was the first TC.2 made:
And a TC.2 in standard livery for training:
Kfirs have also been leased to the US Navy and Marine Corps for use as aggressor aircraft, designated the F-21. This one came off lease and was returned to Israel.
The Kfir have mainly been used by the IAF in the ground attack role, and can carry an impressive array of air to ground ordnance as this Kfir C.7 demonstrates:
With a primary role as a ground attack aircraft, given the air superiority role was in the capable hands of the F-15 Baz, only one Kfir in IAF service to date has an air-to-air kill.
This Kfir C.2 was the one that shot down a Syrian MiG-21:
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