Future of the Israeli Navy

or live beyond their financial means ...

Cartography
Coastlines:
273 km (170 mi), + a part of the Sea of Galilée lake (166 square kilometers (64 sq mi)) + a part of the Dead Sea (810 km2 (310 sq mi))

Personnal Strenght (max): 11 800+
Regular sailors: +/- 5500; Conscript: +/- 2500; Naval Commandos: +/- 300; Coast Guards : +/- 50 ; Reserve/Mobilisation: +/- 3500.

3 Corvettes (up to 5 by 2016)
Up to 2 german corvettes
The Israeli Navy were currently under final negociation with Germany for the purchase of 2 newer missiles corvettes, maybe for a 1st deliverie around 2015 ?. The 2 main possible designs were:
- a improved MEKO A-200 (with a mini Aegis)
- or the more advanced MEKO CSL ?
(in any case, the final design retained will be probably carried a small AAW weapons systems, likely a Israeli indigenous radar).

3 Eilat class (Sa’ar 5)
(Eilat, Lahav, Hanit). 1200 tons, 85 meters. Highly advanced warships for their times (early 1990’s), but suffered from serious topweight problems. Commissioned by 1994/1995, with probable 30+ year service life expected, to be retired by late 2020’s.

10 Fast Missiles attack crafts (something new from something old)
8 Hetz (sa’ar 4,5)
The 2 first ships (Romach, Keshet) commissioned by 1981/1982, a third ship (Hetz) commissioned by 1991, a another group of 3 ships (Kidon, Tarshish, Taffo) delivered by 1994/1998 and a last group of 2 ships (Herev, Sufa) commissioned by 2002/2003. +/- 480 tons, 61 meters very effective ships, but some of these ships suffered from topweight problems. To be progressively retired through mid 2010’s/mid 2030’s.

2 Reshef (Sa’ar 4)
(Nitzachon, Atzmaut). 450 tons, 58 meters. Commissioned by 1978/1979, now ageing unit, likely to be retired trough 2010’s.

In fact, it become clear that all these medium fast missiles attack crafts were well designed for coastal ops again "medium-end" threats (small/medium "arabs navy"...).

+/- 30 Mid shore Patrol boats (THE REAL WORKHORSE OF THE ISRAELI FLEET !!!)
+/- 15 Dabur class
40+ tons, 19+ meters. 34 originally built by 1973/1977, now around 15 active. Likely to be retired through 2010’s. and replaced by the newer Shaldag/Dvora Mk III serie’s.

Up to 12 Super Dvora Mk III class
12 Ordered, under deliveries.

4 Super Dvora Mk II class
60 tons, 25 meters, Commissioned by 1996. To be retired trough 2020’s.

+/- 9 Dvora Mk I class
45 tons, 21 meters, 9 originally built by 1988, now 9 active. To be retired by early 2020’s.

5 Shaldag Mk II class
24+ meters, 5 ordered.

2 Nashshol class
(Stingray Interceptor 2000 design), 3 originally built by 1997/1998, 2 still active.

4 Tzir’
Uncertain data.

In fact, it become clear that all these small crafts were well designed for coastal ops again "low-end" threats (terrorist & so).

Inshore Patrol boats
Likely some RHIB for special forces, ect…

Up to 5 Submarines
3 Dolphin class
(Dolphin, Livyathan, Tekumah). German design (derived from type 212). Well know to be each able to carry 3 or 4 nuclear capable cruise-missiles. Commissioned by 1999/2000. With probable +/- 30 year of service, to be retired by late 2020’s.

2 Improved Dolphin
(not yet named). Currently under construction in german shipyards, to be commissioned around late 2010/early 2012.

Up to 4 furthers SSK ?
Currently, Germany has reconsidered providing funding for a sixth submarine for the Israeli navy. (due to the financial situation). Few israeli officials have repeatedly announced that the Israeli Navy had a future requirement of up to 9 submarines !. But this figure (probably announced to impress Iran…) seems too large & unrealistic for the Israeli finance (and real ops needs).

Unmanned crafts
Rafael Protector USV
The Israeli is well known to be one of the first navy of the world to operate USV craft.

2 Amphibious
1 Ashdod (LCT)
1 LCM (US type)

Auxiliary Ships
3 Cargo ships
(Keshet, Nir, Nahariya). Two of these has ex german type T45 auxiliary ships.

1 Tug
a 78 tons tugs.

Israeli Coast Guards (+/- 50)
4 Small patrol crafts

Naval Aviation
+/- 2 Aircrafts: 2 C-130
+/- 26 Helico:
(ASW use): 7 AS-565SA Panther, 2 SA-366 G Dauphin.
(SAR use): 17 Bel 212.

In resume:
The Israeli navy, to counter the Hezbollah/Syrian/Iranian threats, is trying to master at all costs the high seas (submarines, AAW corvettes). But it is very clear that these very expensive vessels can be paid ONLY by the financial US/German aid…. The REAL solution (and future) depends very probably from naval intelligence/cyber-wars (as usual) and smaller units.

Next fleet review/edito :
Future of the Mexican Navy or (if news events…) Future of the Royal Navy (chapter 2: THE DAY AFTER).

PS: I'm working on a mega/giga review of the Russian fleet, but this review (likely in 2 very big parts) is currently on standby (it can happen this November?).

As usual, It may be that in my opinion, I forgot programs ? (or made few mistakes ?, especially in smaller crafts !), then said it ! Feel free to comment and give your opinion !