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.
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.