Navy News & Undersea Technology
May 20, 2002
Pg. 3
Naval Intelligence Briefs
Israeli Navy To Become A Blue Water Force
By Samuel Loring Morison
Earlier this year, the Israeli Navy received approval in principle from the Israeli Defense Force Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Shaul Mofaz, to draw up a proposal to transform the Israeli Navy from a coastal force into an effective blue water force with a long range strike capability. The Israeli Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has considered this proposal before, by no means a new idea, and concluded that in order for Israel to project a real deterrent capability, the navy should shoulder more of a strategic burden.

The Navy plans to convert existing platforms, and buy new surface vessels and submarines. The subcommittee for defense planning and policy has prepared a report that outlines the composition of a blue water force including medium-sized surface vessels and submarines, as well as unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a class of cruise missile similar to the intermediate-range U.S. Tomahawk (RGM/UGM-109). The same subcommittee currently is exploring the idea of re-allocating defense funding to the navy, traditionally the poor relation. No funding has been approved to date
for this project.

To some extent, this blue water conversion has already started. In the 1990s, the navy purchased three Eilat (SA’AR V) class guided-missile corvettes (FFLGs) from what is now Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Ingalls Operations Shipyard, in the United States. Israel’s Ministry of Defense has opened negotiations with the same yard for the construction of up to five modified (SA’AR V) Class. These ships could help establish an offensive long-range force. They would be augmented by the procurement of additional submarines.

The navy plans to deploy two new indigenously developed cruise missiles aboard the projected SA’AR V class ships: the Gabriel V Advanced Surface Attack Missile and a Next-Generation Defense Missile (NGDM). Each SA’AR V unit is expected to carry 16 of these missiles. It is likely that the Israel
Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI)/Rafael Barak-2 anti-air warfare defense missile will form the basis for the SA’AR V’s NGDM.

The navy also operates six Nirit class guided missile patrol craft (PTG), one ALIYA class PTG, and two Reshef (SA’AR IV ) Class PTGs. In January of this year the navy announced plans to purchase, with U.S. military aid, six Super Dvora class and two Shaldag class Patrol Boats from IAI’s Ramta division and Israel Shipyards, respectively. As well, the navy has an option to order up to five Super Dvora class and two more Shaldag class craft.

Initial deliveries are scheduled for late 2003. This order is part of a $40 million fleet modernization program which includes replacing the old Dvora and Dabur class patrol boats. The new vessels are capable of operating in higher sea states and at extended ranges up to 700 nautical miles. Both will
also be equipped with the Rafael Typhoon stabilized-gun system. The selected variant will use a 25 millimeter gun and an electro-optical payload, including TV/IR sensors, laser designator, rangefinder and target marker.

Israel Shipyards has modified its standard design to ensure the compatibility of components and systems on the Super Dvora and Shaldag classes, which is intended to simplify the Navy’s logistic support for these craft.