The Phantom was used by both the Fleet Air Arm & the RAF. The F-4M (designated FGR.2 in RAF service) & F-4K (designated FG.1 in FAA service) were developed from the F-4C & F-4J, using British components instead of American ones, including Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans. The Phantom was operated mainly in the QRA Intercept role by the RAF, as it was in many other countries; most Cold War photos of airborne Soviet aircraft were taken by intercepting Phantoms. The UKADR was divided (until the mid-1980s) into Northern & Southern Q; Northern Q being based at Leuchars, Southern Q being based alternately between Binbrook, Coningsby & Wattisham. Both Northern & Southern Q performed all of the UK's intercepts, regularly intercepting such types as the Tupolev Tu-95 'Bear' & Tu-16 'Badger. The Phantom replaced the Lightning in all air-defence operations, being based in Cyprus, Germany & the Falklands, as well as the UK itself. The Phantom had some problems when it superseded the Lightning in Germany. Lightnings operated from Gutersloh throughout from the early Sixties until 1975. When they were replaced by the Phantom, the base was moved about 100 miles (160km) away from the ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone), to Wildenrath on the Dutch border. From Gutersloh, the reaction time was about five minutes; from Wildenrath, the reaction time was kept at five minutes, even though it took at least twenty minutes to get to the East/ West German border. Five minutes was impossible for the Phantom, & the reaction time was eventually changed.

The Fleet Air Arm had a difficult time with some of the Phantom's unreliable navigation equipment. The API (The Phantom's navigation system, the Air Position Indicator) was unreliable at best; it is extremely difficult to find a ship (even an aircraft carrier) in the sea, because there are no reference points or landmarks as there are on land. Fortunately, the TACAN system was of good quality, making the job just that bit easier. The UK's Phantoms were equipped with the amazingly powerful 20mm M61A1 cannon, capable of firing 100 rounds per second through their six barrels. Despite some equipment problems, the Phantom is one of the American aircraft industry's greatest successes, attracting massive export success with deliveries to navies & air forces around the world, serving well with every one.

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