NAVY
Date Posted: 23-Dec-2003
NAVY SUMMARY
STRENGTH - 7,600 (estimated)
SUBMARINE - 3
CORVETTE - 3
FAST ATTACK CRAFT/MISSILE - 11
Assessment
Of the three armed services, the Israeli Navy (IN) has traditionally received the lowest priority as regards funding. However, Israel has been gradually modernising its navy and delivery of three Eilat (Sa'ar 5) guided missile frigates and three 'Dolphin'-class submarines, greatly boosted the navy's capability to operate well outside coastal waters. The arrival of the first of three 'Dolphin' class submarines in 1999 was described by the then Prime Minister Ehud Barak as a move that would "change the entire face of the navy and the long-arm capabilities of Israel". This was widely attributed to Israeli plans to arm the submarines with cruise missiles carrying nuclear warheads. It was reckoned that the virtually undetectable submarines would provide Israel with a 'second-strike' capability and complete the country's triad of land, air and now sea-launched nuclear deterrents.
It was reported in February 2002 that the navy had received approval to draw up plans to convert the service into an effective bluewater force with a long-range strike capability. Israel Defence Force (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt Gen Shaul Mofaz approved the plan 'in principle' following a formal proposal by the navy. The concept is based on converting existing platforms and procuring further surface vessels and submarines. Under the navy's proposal, the Sa'ar 5 fleet would be converted to deploy cruise missiles.
There had been previous speculation that the 'Dolphin' submarines had been used to test-fire a cruise missile. A report in the London-based Sunday Times (18 June 2000), citing Israeli defence sources, had claimed that an indigenous cruise missile with a 1,500 km range had been successfully test-fired off the 'Dolphin' class submarines in the Indian Ocean. While the alleged tests involved conventional warheads, the report indicated that the cruise missile could also be armed with a nuclear warhead. An Israeli defence spokesman denied that the tests had taken place, stating that the submarines that had apparently been involved, had not left their Haifa base for a sufficiently long period to reach the Indian Ocean.
While a submarine-launched nuclear deterrent would certainly increase the standing of the Israeli Navy, it seems unlikely that such a capability currently exists. Israel's recent attempts to acquire long-range US Tomahawk cruise missiles indicates the absence of an indigenous programme developing comparable weapons. Israel has developed its own cruise missiles, the Deliah/Star-1 series and the Popeye standoff weapon, but they are of a short range and both systems lack the flush engine required for the encapsulation involved in launching from a torpedo tube. The 1,500 km range claimed in the report would allow a submarine operating in the Mediterranean to strike against Baghdad or Damascus but leaves Tehran on the very limits of its capabilities.
Israeli intelligence has been concerned about Iranian nuclear intentions. To ensure missile coverage of Iran, Israeli submarines would have to fire from inside the Persian Gulf or Arabian Sea, but, given the endurance capabilities of Israel's three diesel-electric submarines, it would be very difficult for Israel to maintain a submarine on such a station. Although Israel will probably develop a submarine-launched nuclear deterrent in the future, the current existence of such a capability must remain questionable until the acquisition of longer range cruise missiles has been confirmed.
Organisation
The strength of the IN is estimated to include up to 2,500 conscripts. It is estimated that about 11,500 reserves can be mobilised.
The major vessels of the navy are three 'Dolphin' class submarines and three 1,075-ton Eilat (Sa'ar 5) corvettes. The 'Dolphin' class submarines replaced three 420-ton Gal (Vickers type 540) submarines, which were put on sale.
Israel maintains 11 fast attack craft (missile). They consist of seven 488-ton Hetz (Sa'ar 4.5) craft, two Aliya (Sa'ar 4.5) craft and two 415-ton Reshef (Sa'ar 4) craft. All are armed with Harpoon surface-to-surface missiles.
The IN also operates 13 54-ton 'Super Dvora' class fast attack craft (gun) and 15 39-ton 'Dabur' class coastal patrol craft.
The navy has one 'Ashdod' class LCT (landing craft tank), and one US-type LCM (landing craft mechanical.)
There are naval attack helicopters deployed with the navy but they are regarded as part of the air force inventory. There is a naval commando unit, with a strength of about 300, the personnel of which are trained as frogmen and divers.
Role and Deployment
The role of the navy is to protect the Israeli coastline and territorial waters and to intercept any seaborne anti-Israeli guerrilla groups or arms smugglers trying to infiltrate into Israeli territory or into the Palestinian territory of Gaza from the sea. To this end, the navy carries out regular patrols both in territorial waters and also up to more than 100 km from the shore. Particular attention is paid to the region where Israeli territorial waters adjoin those of Lebanon, off Rosh Haniqra, and also to the Gaza coast in light of the Palestinian uprising - there are fears in Israel that weapons may be smuggled to Palestinian militants in Gaza.
As regards Lebanon, during 1995 Israeli naval forces mounted a blockade of port cities in southern Lebanon as part of a campaign to deter attacks on Israeli and allied SLA forces and during Operation 'Grapes of Wrath' in April 1996 the IN shelled the main coastal road of southern Lebanon. The Israelis claimed the action was taken to prevent reinforcements reaching Hizbullah.
During the years when Palestinian forces in Lebanon posed a major threat to Israel, it was part of the role of the navy to interdict arms supplies bound for those forces. In more recent times the arms smuggling threat is seen as more associated with the Gaza region.
The main conventional maritime threat to Israel today is seen as coming from Syria which, in the 1980s, used Soviet aid to boost its navy's operational capability and its coastal defences. However, it is considered unlikely in the foreseeable future that naval hostilities will break out between the two countries.
Because most of the potential maritime threats are found in the region of the Mediterranean, this is where most of the fleet is deployed, the navy's primary bases being Haifa and Ashdod. Just a few vessels are deployed at Eilat in the Red Sea - usually about seven 'Dabur' class inshore patrol boats and a few other craft.
One of the tasks of the IN has been to deliver small forces of Israeli troops and armoured equipment for beach landings. The navy showed its capability in this field when, during the 1982 invasion of Lebanon, it successfully landed an assault force of armour and paratroops behind PLO positions near Sidon, on the Lebanese coast. The navy has one 'Ashdod' class Landing Craft Tank (LCT) and one US-type Landing Craft Mechanical (LCM).
Coastal Defences
Following the deployment of new platforms, the navy now operates in several 'rings'. Coastline defence on land and at sea is performed by FACs and surveillance units positioned at vantage points along the Israeli coastline, from the Lebanese border in the north to Rafah and the Gaza strip in the south. Interception of targets beyond the horizon and deeper at sea, is performed by combined elements formed by Sa'ar 5 corvettes and Hetz missile boats, augmented by the new 'Dolphin' submarines. The submarines are also assuming a more strategic role, including intelligence and surveillance operations. The new modus operandi proposes a new outer-network mission.
Israel's modern FACs will give the navy wider operational flexibility and improve its deterrent capability against potential threats. It is believed they will be most potent in the southern coastal area where the navy is tasked with securing and sealing off the coastline between Rafah and Gaza through which it is claimed Palestinian groups infiltrate weapons and explosives. It is understood that the primary role of the more recently delivered FACs will be coastal patrols and counter-terrorist activities including interception of submersible vehicles. Swimmer delivery vehicles will also be evaluated. The navy may also consider using the new boats in an anti-submarine warfare role.
Naval Commandos
The IN has one naval commando unit, based at Atlit naval base, with a strength of about 300. This elite special forces unit is known as Shayetet 13, or S-13. Its role is to carry out special maritime operations; the unit has particular expertise in the area of Counter Terrorism (CT) and Hostage Rescue (HR) operations. Recruits to the unit undergo an intensive training course, some of which is carried out with the US Navy SEALs. Sea-to-land incursions are among the specialities of the unit. S-13 is organised into three companies, each company, or Palga, being assigned a particular role:
The Raids Palga specialises in commando sea-to-land incursions. It has a sub-unit, D4, which specialises in CT and HR operations
The Underwater Palga is a frogman unit whose specialities include underwater demolition and underwater surveillance of targets
The 'Above Water' Palga is similar to a US Special Boat Unit - it uses fast attack craft to deliver members of the Raids and Underwater companies to their targets, and liaises closely with IN surface vessels and submarines during such operations.
UN Contributions
No UN contributions have been made.
Operational Art and Tactical Doctrine
The navy is based to a considerable degree on the tactics and doctrine of the UK's Royal Navy.
Training
The standard of training is high, not only among serving officers and men but also among the reserves. Ship crews are augmented on a constant basis through the year by a steady flow of reservists, ensuring that reservists also receive a high standard of training.
Training Areas
Most training is conducted in the Mediterranean; some is also carried out in Eilat. Commando training takes place at the naval commando base in Atlit.
Navy Bases
Ashdod
Atlit
Eilat
Haifa
Naval Weapons Systems
Surface-to-surface Missiles:
Gabriel 2 & 3
RGM-84A Harpoon
Sub-Harpoon
Anti-missile Missiles:
Barak 1 PDM
Anti-missile Guns:
20 mm Vulcan-Phalanx radar-controlled anti-missile gun
Advanced Torpedoes:
Mk 37 anti-submarine torpedo
NT-37E anti-submarine torpedo