Like many NATO countries, Germany quickly became interested in the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II as a replacement for the Luftwaffe's ageing F-104s in Jagdgeschwader (interceptor) wings, as well as the G.91 in Jagdbombergeschwader (fighter-bomber) wings. The Luftwaffe was initially interested in a single-seat version of the Phantom but in the end chose a lighter, simplified version of the existing F-4E variant, which became known as the F-4F. It had a significant number of German-made components including a license-built J79 engine made locally by MTU. However, it featured a downgraded radar and could not be equipped with Sparrow missiles which essentially left it without beyond-visual range (BVR) capability. In the fighter-bomber role, it could operate a variety of US and NATO ordinance but standoff capability was limited at first, though later it could be armed with Maverick missiles. The F-4F fleet was given numerous modernizations over its lifetime, notably the Improved Combat Efficiency (ICE) program that was designed to keep them viable pending the introduction of the Eurofighter. This upgrade allowed them to use the more advanced AMRAAM missile as well as a more powerful radar. ICE-modernized Phantoms continued to soldier on with the Luftwaffe well after the introduction of their replacement, the last being phased out of service only until 2013.

First flight of the F-4F (originally known as the F-4E(F)) took place on 18 May, 1973, with deliveries beginning later that year. Externally, the only difference with the F-4E were the unslotted stabilizers, though it retained the slatted wings found in later F-4Es. The F-4F/ICE is a vastly modified version which incorporates a more advanced AN/APG-65 radar as well as the capability of carrying AMRAAM missiles among other avionics improvments. ICE-upgraded Phantoms can be distinguished by their clear radomes, compared to the earlier black radomes. The Luftwaffe also obtained a large number of RF-4E reconnaissance aircraft.