Originally Posted by
RAFEngO74to09
Interesting that IDF kept AIM-7 Sparrow in the inventory when it got AIM-120 AMRAAM. There isn't actually a defined shelf-life for AIM-7 and they obviously invested in climate controlled storage otherwise seals would have dried out and other air forces found refurbishment wasn't cost effective compared to buying something newer. RAF started getting Skyflash in 1978 and the USAF AMRAAM in 1998.
Sparrow remains in the inventory as it has some advantages in certain situations over AMRAAM, apparently. Of course, who knows what is inside Israeli Sparrows.