The “Missile Boat'' (Saar) design adapted by Israeli Navy in the mid 60's was based on the German “Jaguar'' class. The first Saar 1 boat, INS Mivtach set sail for Israel on 25 December 1967. Upon its arrival INS Mivtach was equipped with three 40mm (L-70) that were controlled by an optical director.Up until 1974, INS Mivtach was just a gun boat, but then in 1974 INS Mivtach was equipped with Gabriel missiles.
At the beginning the only armament of INS Miznak,
INS Misgav and
INS Mivtach Saar 1 boats were three 40 mm Guns (Bofors model). Saar 1 Gun boats, carried three guns and sonar because the missile systems were still under development. Bofors guns on Saar 1 were aimed and fired by a fire director or locally from the guns.
All of the Saar 1 boats class were modified to the Saar 2 (missle boats) standard. Two Gabriel missiles were placed between the bow 40 mm gun and the bridge, one on each side of the boat.
In mid 70's one of the rear 40 mm guns was replaced by missile platform which carried 3 Gabriel missles. In late 70's these three Gabriel missiles were replaced by Harpoon missiles, the second rear (stern) 40mm gun been removed and additional systems been added. For additional information on this please go to Saar 2 page.
Basically the Saar 1 were training boats which helped the Israeli Navy to develop the concept of "anti missle" (anti the Russian STYX) doctrine . Before the Yom Kippur War (1973) only the INS Miznak was converted to the Saar 2 (missles boat) standard , the other Saar 1 two boats. The INS Misgav and INS Mivtach were converted after Yom Kippur War (1973).
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