page_title: Northrop F-5
section_title: Operators
hierarchical_section_title: Northrop F-5 / Operators
caption_attribution_description: English: A Royal Moroccan Air Force F-5 jet refuels during a fixed wing aerial refueling mission in support of Exercise AFRICAN LION 2009.
context_page_description: The Northrop F-5 is a family of supersonic light fighter aircraft initially designed as a privately funded project in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. There are two main models, the original F-5A and F-5B Freedom Fighter variants and the extensively updated F-5E and F-5F Tiger II variants. The design team wrapped a small, highly aerodynamic fighter around two compact and high-thrust General Electric J85 engines, focusing on performance and a low cost of maintenance. Smaller and simpler than contemporaries such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the F-5 cost less to procure and operate, making it a popular export aircraft. Though primarily designed for a day air superiority role, the aircraft is also a capable ground-attack platform. The F-5A entered service in the early 1960s. During the Cold War, over 800 were produced through 1972 for U.S. allies. Though at the time the United States Air Force did not have a need for a light fighter, it did procure approximately 1,200 Northrop T-38 Talon trainer aircraft, which was based on Northrop's N-156 fighter design.
context_section_description:  Austria
  Austrian Air Force: On loan from Switzerland – all aircraft returned and replaced by Eurofighter Typhoons.
   Bahrain
  Bahrain Air Force received eight F-5Es and two F-5Fs in between 1985 and 1987.
   Botswana
  Botswana Air Force purchased 10 upgraded CF-5As and 3 CF-5Ds from Canada in 1996. A further two CF-5Ds were purchased in 2000.
   Brazil
  Brazilian Air Force purchased 78 F-5's of different variants from 1974. Operates 43 F-5EM and 4 F-5FM as of 2020, to be withdrawn gradually between 2017 and 2030, replaced by the JAS 39E/F Gripen.
   Canada
  Canadian Forces – see Canadair CF-5
   Chile
  Chilean Air Force: Chile purchased 15 F-5Es and 3 F-5Fs in the 1970s, these being upgraded to Tiger III standard from 1993. A total of 10 F-5s remain operational as of 2009. In March 2013, the Uruguayan Air Force initiated talks for procuring 12 surplus F-5 Tiger III aircraft from Chile for $80 million. However, the potential sale of the aircraft has come to naught and 11 aircraft continue to be operated by the Chilean Air Force, based in Punta Arenas.
   Ethiopia
  Ethiopian Air Force first delivery in 1966; it has operated the A, B, and E variants.
   Greece
  Hellenic Air Force received the first 55 F-5As in 1965. In 1975, 10 aircraft were bought from Iran and later, another 10 followed from Jordan. In 1986, nine aircraft were granted from Norway and in 1991, 10 NF-5As were granted by the Netherlands. During 1967 and 1968 this type of aircraft was used by the 3rd Hellenic Aerobatic Team "New Hellenic Flame". The last NF-5As were retired in 2002.
   Honduras
  Honduran Air Force: The United States delivered 10 F-5E and 2 F-5Fs starting in 1987 as replacements of Dassault Super Mystére, which were reassigned to airstrike as they were in their last years of service. The F-5 were refurbished former United States Air Force aircraft.
   Indonesia
  Indonesian Air Force: Upgraded in Belgium in the middle to late 1990s. All 16 F-5E/Fs have been retired since 3 May 2016 per directive from Chief of Indonesian Air Force due to safety issue.
   Iran
  Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force: 60 to 75 F-5E and F operational; Iran originally had received a total of 127 F-5A/B by 1972 which soon began to be phased out/sold to other countries. Simultaneously by 1976 Iran had received a total of 181 of the improved F-5E/F/RF-A delivered to the Imperial Iranian Air Force.
  Unknown numbers of HESA Saeqeh and HESA Azarakhsh fighters derived from the F-5 design.
   Jordan
  Royal Jordanian Air Force – retired 2015.  Replaced by F-16A/B and Hawk Mk 63. Sold 11 to Brazil for $21 million in 2009.
   Kenya
  Kenya Air Force: In July 2008, it was reported that Kenya will spend 1.5 billion KSh to buy 15 former Jordanian Air Force F-5s, 13 F-5E and two F-5F upgraded with Rockwell Collins avionics (plus training and spare parts). They will be added or eventually replace the existing F-5 fleet.
   South Korea
  Republic of Korea Air Force: Received a total of 340 F-5s (88 F-5A, 30 F-5B, 8 RF-5A, 126 F-5E, 20 F-5F, 48 KF-5E, and 20 KF-5F). During the Vietnam War, 36 F-5As and 8 RF-5As were transferred to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force in exchange of F-4 Phantom II from the United States Air Force. 5 RF-5As were brought back to Korea before the war ended. The last Freedom Fighter retired in 2005, and 8 F-5As were donated to the Philippines Air Force. The ROKAF plans to replace the U.S. made F-5E/Fs with 60 new FA-50 aircraft.
   Libya
  Royal Libyan Air Force to 1969. 10 F-5s. May have been sold to Turkey after 1969.
   Mexico
  Mexican Air Force received 12 F-5s in 1982.  They operated eight F-5Es and two F-5F until being retired in 2017. In 2019 three Mexican F-5Es and one F-5F were seen flying; they are being repaired to put back into service.
   Morocco
  Royal Moroccan Air Force operates 12 F-5A/Bs upgraded with Tiger II avionics and 24 upgraded F-5 Tiger III.
   Malaysia
  Royal Malaysian Air Force uses 4 F-5F as trainer aircraft while another 16 of its Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs were upgraded for reconnaissance purposes.
   Netherlands
  Royal Netherlands Air Force (former operator), received 75 Canadair built NF-
caption: Royal Moroccan Air Force F-5E Tiger III during an aerial refueling mission in African Lion 2009
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