Israel to purchase four Shaldag fast-class patrol boats
Defense Ministry deal with Israel Shipyards is the first to be signed in 15 years.
A Shaldag V-IN patrol boat, purchased for the Israeli Navy from Israel Shipyards.
(photo credit: DEFENSE MINISTRY)
The Defense Ministry has purchased four locally made Shaldag V
patrol boats from Israel Shipyards, the ministry announced on Wednesday,
a first deal with the Haifa-based shipbuilder in 15 years.
The procurement of the ships for the Israel Navy is to cost about NIS 100 million.
“The
ships will provide the navy with a broad response to the threats
developing in the maritime arena in the coming years,” the ministry
said.
The new
95-ton Shaldag V-class fast patrol ships, with a length of 32.5 meters,
will have a top speed of 40 knots. High-speed interception crafts, they
are intended as an immediate response to maritime threats.
The
ships are very maneuverable and operate advanced weapons systems. They
will join the fleet to support a variety of missions, including maritime
patrol and to intercept terrorist threats.
Israeli Navy to receive four new Shaldag MK V vessels!
Defense
Minister Benny Gantz said in welcoming the deal that it was “important
both for security and society. The purchase of the ships made in Israel
indicates the strengthening of the local defense industry.”
Israel’s
naval fleet comprises routine patrol units, submarines (Shayetet 7),
naval special forces (Shayetet 13) and missile boats (Shayetet 3).
The new Sa’ar 6-class corvettes
currently being integrated into the navy will give the fleet a total of
15 corvettes alongside the older Sa’ar 5-class missile ships which have
been in service for about 30 years.
Though
the Israel Navy is relatively small compared to the other IDF corps, it
is charged with protecting the state’s largest strategic depth below
and on the surface, covering some 44,000 square-km. of sea, almost
double the country’s land mass. It must also guard strategic
infrastructure such as the natural gas rigs, protect commercial shipping
lanes, which allow for the import of 98% of goods, and take part in
missions at a far greater distance from home.
“Despite
the budgetary challenges, after about 15 years, we are once again
building warships in Israel,” said Avi Dadon, head of procurement at the
ministry.
The
signing of the agreement with Israel Shipyards is a statement of intent
by the ministry, Dadon said, adding: “I welcome the partnership, which
will strengthen both security and industry and employment in the north
of the country.”
Sami Katsav, chairman of Israel Shipyards, said that the deal shows the contribution the company makes to national security.
“We
are proud that we can serve the navy, the Defense Ministry and the
State of Israel,” he said. “This significant order is a seal of approval
of the company’s quality and professionalism as a supplier of advanced
vessels to governments and security forces around the world, and it will
help Israeli defense exports.”
Shaldag-class
patrol boats have been used by at least 10 navies worldwide since 1989,
including the Philippines, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Senegal and Nigeria.
Designed
for a crew of 10-14, the Shaldag V can carry various payloads and can
be armed with a 25-mm. Typhoon automatic gun, two Mini-Typhoon heavy
machine guns and eight short-range anti-ship missiles.
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