The Israeli Defence Force "IDF" Navy - An Overview

History and Background

In the years immediately after the State's foundation in 1948, the IDF Navy had just five vessels and in view of spending priorities, the navy ranked well down the queue for finance. Five vessels was seen as a fleet adequate to protect Israel's maritime supply lines, perhaps assuming an ability to rely on the US and other allies should the need arise.

Israeli Navy Ship ("INS") Eilat was sunk off the Egypt in 1967 after the Six-Day War, the victim of Egyptian missiles launched by small, fast and highly manoeuverable missile boats. This action created waves - in naval circles, in the same way as the Argentinian-launched Exocets caused in the Falklands War. Defence of such ships was re-strategised.

The day of the agile missile platform really had arrived, resulting in a fundamental re-think of the naval force conformation and their key strategic missions for Israel. Smaller, faster ships were developed along with next generation surface-to-surface missile technology.

By the time of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the IDF Navy was ready. Sa'ar -5 Class missile boats (corvettes) were operational (Sa'ar is Hebrew for storm), carrying the new missile technology. With a revised tactical handbook, ECM and Gabriel missile system, they demonstrated that the IDF Navy was up with the level of defence efficiency that other arms of the Israeli Defence Force offered.

Time moved on and and land-based threats were perceived to be the most salient. Hezbollah was launching rockets into Israeli settlements.

A maritime blockade of Lebanon was established during the second Lebanon War in 2006. A Sa'ar-5 Class missile boat (the INS Hanit) was hit by shore launched Chinese-made anti-ship missiles. The successful strike was said to have been because of inaccurate or non-existent intelligence. Hence, the radar was not switched on.

Since that shortcoming, both of intelligence and apparent common sense, naval force integration has been sharpened dramatically. There have, though, been political setbacks - particularly the fiasco following the interception of a six-ship aid convoy in 2010 which was attempting to break the Gaza blockade from Cyprus.

The IDF Navy is currently in a major procurement phase, though squabbles about budget, strategic capabilities and probable mission profiles continue. These internal differences do nothing to assist the Navy's need for finance to acquire 2 capital ships (à la US LCS or Danish Standard Flex) for its fleet.

Theatres and Bases

The two key theatres for the Israeli Navy are the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea (which leading to the Gulf of Aqaba).

The Suez Canal is occasionally used by Israeli vessels. The Strait of Tiran between Egypt and Saudi Arabia at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba, is narrow at 8 miles, and shallow. Strategists generally view Eilat as a poor choice of base submarines and other ships because of this bottleneck.

The key Israeli naval bases are at Haifa and Ashdod, on the Mediterranean Sea and Eilat, on the Gulf of Aqaba. Additionally, there are shipyards, an IT centre, an Israeli Navy Commando base, and command and control complexes.

Israel says that there are no plans to base submarines in the Red Sea, and in view of the 1975 Memorandum of Agreement and US strategic concerns in general, it is fair to assume that the US has a nuclear submarine or two handily placed at all times for this theatre and for Iran in particular.

How Big is the IDF Navy?

It is the smallest branch of the IDF by a long chalk. Its active service headcount is just less than 20,000 persons strong (2011, about 2.5% of Israel's total population).

Its fleet is generally thought to be as listed below (2011), but there may be other vessels which are undisclosed:

Surface Vessels:

3 corvettes

10 Sa'ar 4 and Sa'ar 4.5 Class

3 Dolphin Class Submarines

42 patrol boats

6 support ships

Various small mission vessels and support craft.

Aircraft:

Helicopters: Eurocopter Panthers

Fixed wing: IAI Seascan sea surveillance.

Another two Dolphin Class Submarines are being built to make five in total.

What's the Outlook?

When the wrangling over the LCS or equivalent ships is settled and a realistic budget signed off, then the Israeli Navy will be able to move forward. The vacuum caused by the popular revolutions sweeping across the Maghreb and Middle East will be filled by one power or another. With the recent sea trials of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shi-Lang, the world naval power balance is changing, especially given China's significant level of investment in land and food, mining and diplomatic relations in the African continent. Some re-thinking will be necessary all round.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com