The “Missile Boat'' design adapted by the Israel Navy in the mid 1960s was based on the German “Jaguar'' class, which was modified to carry five IAI/MBT Gabriel missiles. This concept was considered to counter the threat of STYX anti-ship missiles, deployed on Soviet made “Komar'' and “Osa'' class FPBs operated by the Egyptian and Syrian navies. However, after the tragic loss of-the destroyer INS “Eilat'' one of two Israel Navy destroyers, to Egyptian STYX missiles on October 21, 1967, Israel accelerated the missile program and fielding of Gabriel missiles, which were already in an advanced developmental stage since 1962. In the early 1970s Gabriel anti-ship missiles were installed on Saar 2 (Saar 1) and Saar 3 “Jaguar'' type missile boats, as well as two Israeli built missile boats of the “Reshef”' class (Saar 4) which were based on a completely new design and construction by Israeli Shipyards. These missiles proved their effectiveness in the Yom Kippur War (1973), as Israeli missile boats sank several “Osa'' and “loomar'' missile boats with zero losses.
A decade later, the long-range Harpoon missiles were introduced, as well as extended range Gabriel II missiles and any more advanced systems, implementing lessons learned during the Yom Kippur War (1973). Three Saar 3 ships were also modified for anti-submarine warfare, equipped with sonar systems, ASW torpedoes and depth charge launchers. Saar 2 and Saar 3 missile boats remained in service with the Israel Navy until the mid 1990s. In the 1970s. Israel became self sufficient in ship construction, as Israel Shipyards assumed all construction work for missile boats and landing craft. New constructions included the stretched Saar 4 class boats, which grew larger by 4 meters, to accommodate a hangar and landing deck for Aerospatiale Panther helicopters. Two ships of the “Chochit'' class were built, the first one being “Aliya'' launched in 1980, followed by INS “Geula''. Two additional stretched “Noshav'' class boats were built without these social facilities, providing additional space for a capon systems and stores. Some Saar 4' class boats also assumed the ASW role, equipped with various sonar systems, including an EDO towed array system, ASW torpedoes and torpedo decoys systems.
With the introduction of-the 1,000 ton multi-mission ''Saar 5'' “Lahav'' class corvettes, the Israeli Navy decided to bring the remaining fleet of missile boats to the same level. This task required major upgrading for the remaining fleet of-missile boats. The Saar 4.5 modernization program was launched in 1988 and has so far included eight ships, some new constructions and the modifications of-existing hulls. Under this program much of the know-how and many systems developed for the “Lahav'' class were transformed into the “Nirit'' class. A distinctive and visible feature is the enclosed mast which dramatically reduces the ship's signature while improving system performance and maintenance. The first new ship of the “Nirit'' class was INS “Hetz'' commissioned in 1991. This ship provided a test bed for new weapon systems such as Barak missiles, and other systems later installed in the Saar' corvettes. The “Hetz'' was followed by five additional ships of the “Nirit'' class'. INS “Kidon'' INS “Yaffo'' INS “Tarshish'' INS “Herev'' and INS “sufa'' commissioned in August 2002.
The original Saar 4 was designed as a full size missile boat, with a displacement of 450 tons, twice that of of the earlier Saar 2 and Saar 3 missile boats. The larger ship could carry more weapons and stores, operate at longer ranges, extended missions and at higher sea states. The missile boat provided an unique solution for the operational requirements of-the Israel Navy, which were defence of sea-lanes in the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, support of coastal area defence operations, through the maintaining of local superiority over hostile forces operating in the Eastern Mediterranean. The combination of such missions require exceptional fire power, high survivability, independence, endurance and seakeeping, to enable flexibility in deployment and missions, from large interpretable formations of missile boats, corvettes, submarines, aerial elements or allied forces operating in the region, down to small and independent forces, and even single ships.
The key for the success of the Saar 4 and Saar 4.5 class is the high firepower to displacement ratio. This 500 ton class ship carries a total of 14 attack missiles, and 32 defensive anti-ship/anti-aircraft missiles; a complement of weapons characteristic formula larger corvettes or frigates. The ship is also heavily protected from enemy attack by a multi-layered array of electronic defence systems, decoys and “hard kill'' anti-ship missiles and guns. Due to the use of highly automated systems, smaller crews are sufficient to operate the missile boats. The current “Nirit'' class is operated by a crew of 45. |
