Between 1972 and 1992 the Turkisch Air Force bought 182 F-4E and 52 RF-4E former USAF Phantoms as part of the Peace Diamonds III program. Another 32 retired RF-4E Phantoms were acquired from Germany in 1992.

In the 90's the Turkish Air Force decided an update program was needed to increase the aircraft usefull life and capabilities. 54 F-4E's received upgrades, of which26 inIsrael by IAI and28 inTurkey. The first two aircraft were handed over in January 2000 and the renewed Panthoms were called F-4E 2020 'Terminators'. The upgrade consisted of a thorough structural life externsion program and systems modernization effort that would see the plane acquite vastly improved all weather multi role capabilities. The APG76 radar was replaced by the more powerfull ELTA 2032 fire control radar. Also the F-4E 2020 acquired the AN/ALQ-178 passive Self Protection Suite, HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) flight controls and an electronic counter meaures pod. Sources also reports that a new, wide angle HUD was installed and work in the aircraft structural integrity added another 6000 life hours to the 54 selected airframes. Also20 kilometeroff wiring was replaced, reducing the aircrafts weight with750 kilograms, as well as hydrailic and pneumatic lines.

For air-to air operations the Turkish F-4's carries a 20mm canon and can add the AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9L/M Sidewinder missles. The aircraft is also wired for modern TV-guided, Infra Red-guided and Laser guided US made air-to-ground munitions like the AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-88 Harm and GBU10-12 Paveway bombs.

Currently the Turkish F-4E 2020's are based on Eskisehir, flying with 111 and 112 Filo, and Erhac, operated by 171 Filo.