With a video release on social media, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) presented their newest anti-ship missile. The missile – not disclosed in the video, but it is most likely the Gabriel V also purchased by Finland – was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with the Israeli Navy and the Ministry of Defence’s Directorate of Defence, Research and Development (MAFAT). 

The missile system, according to the announcement, has more accurate and flexible attack capabilities, longer ranges and a better ability to deal with advanced threats.

As part of the trials, a missile was fired at a target simulating an enemy ship.

“The missile system will ensure the maritime superiority of the Navy,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement on Friday, adding that “the implementation of the system is a significant step in strengthening the navy and maintaining the IDF’s superiority in the maritime arena.”

Also read: First successfully sea trials for the Israeli Sa’ar-6 Corvette 

The new system is expected to be integrated onto the Sa’ar 5 missile ships and the new Sa’ar 6 missile ships (corvettes) which are expected to join the navy’s missile fleet in the coming months.

The Sa’ar-6 corvette has a displacement of 1900 tons and a length of 90 meters. It carries a crew of 70 people, develops a maximum speed of 26 knots and has a range of 4000 nm.

The ship boasts powerful weapons including, among others, up to 32 surface-to-air Indo-Israeli Barak-8 missiles with a maximum range of 70 km, 16 anti-ship missiles (most likely the Gabriel V type as said above) with a maximum range 200 km, EL/M-2248 MF-STAR AESA radar made by IAI / Elta as well as the C-Dome point defence system, a naval version of the Iron Dome also made by IAI. 

Also read: Corvette “Themistocles” | With the cooperation of Greece-Israel-USA | Photos & VIDEO

The ship’s arsenal is completed by one OTO Melara Super Rapid 76mm made by the Italian Leonardo, 2 remote-controlled Typhoon 25 mm stations made by the Israeili Rafael and two 324 mm light torpedo launchers MK54 made by the American manufacturer Raytheon.  

The Sa’ar-6 can accommodate also one SH-60F Seahawk helicopter as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the stern. In addition to armament, the ship will also be outfitted with Israeli Elbit Systems electronic warfare systems, telecommunication systems and state-of-the-art electro-optical equipment.

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The first of four Sa’ar 6 corvettes, the INS Magen, began its naval trials in Kiel, Germany on March 10 and in early April the German government approved the export license for the four corvettes. However, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the arrival of the first Sa’ar 6 will be delayed.

With information from: IDF, jpost.com, defenceredefined.com.cy

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