Saar 4.5 class missile boat
Encyclopedia
Sa'ar 4.5 is a class of Israeli Sea Corps
missile boat
s designed and built by Israel Shipyards
Ltd. as an improved and stretched Sa'ar 4-class missile boat. There are two different subclasses that are both named Saar 4.5: The first of which initially called Chochit , but renamed to Aliya ; the second of which initially called Nirit but renamed to Hetz .
Missile boat of this class was the first Sa'ar 4.5 to come out. Two ships of this version were built and launched in 1980, the first one being INS Aliya, followed by INS Geula. Additionally to the anti-ship missile
s, these missile boats were equipped with aviation facilities that could accommodate two (1 in a regular basis) Bell 206
, MD 500
, or HH-65
helicopters. Eurocopter Panther was the latest helicopter on these ships in Israeli navy. Aliya-subclass are the smallest warships with a helipad
and helicopter hangar.
In August 1984 INS Aliya and INS Geula were sent to destroy a terrorist facility in Nahr al-Bared
, northern Lebanon. Two MD 500 Defender
s from INS Aliya and another two from INS Geula successfully hit the target. In July 1985 INS Aliya and INS Geula carried out a similar mission near Nahr al-Bared.
In January 2004 both ships were sold to Mexico
for service in the Mexican Navy
renamed ARM Huracán
and ARM Tormenta
. On August 23, 2004 the ships were launched in Mexico. Press reports indicates that the Israelis removed the Harpoon missile systems prior to the sale, however the Gabriel anti-ship missile
systems were included in the package.
Sa'ar 4.5 Hetz-subclass missile boat lacks the helicopter facilities of the Aliya-subclass, but has more weapon systems fitted. It is largely based on the Sa'ar 4-class missile boat with improvements in electronic systems: command and control
, detection, classification and identification, fire control system, radar
, sonar
, electronic warfare
and communications. The engines and propulsion systems were also upgraded. The ship itself is 4 meters longer than the Sa'ar 4-class to accommodate the new systems.
The original construction plan for Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boats included 2 helicopter-equipped ships (INS Aliya and INS Geula) and three ordinary missile boats: INS Romach (launched and commissioned in 1981), INS Keshet (launched and commissioned in 1982) and INS Nirit. INS Nirit was laid up in 1984 but the construction ceased due to lack of funds and it was finally launched in 1990 and commissioned in 1991 with some modern equipment, eventuality renamed to INS Hetz. Consequently the older INS Romach and INS Keshet were upgraded to match the INS Hetz specifications. INS Kidon, INS Tarshish, and INS Yaffo commissioned in 1994, 1995, and 1998
respectively. Particularly INS Kidon and INS Yaffo were built comprising various older systems that were disassembled from Sa'ar 4-class missile boats with the same names, atop brand new Sa'ar 4.5-class hulls. INS Tarshish possibly also comprised some weapon systems demounted from Sa'ar 4-class missile boat with the same name, atop new Sa'ar 4.5-class hull. Another two further-upgraded Sa'ar 4.5 Hetz-subclass missile boats called INS Herev and INS Sufa commissioned in 2002 and 2003, raising the number of Sa'ar 4.5 Hetz-subclass missile boats to eight. All of them in service in Israeli navy.
Israeli Sea Corps
The Israeli Navy is the naval arm of the Israel Defense Forces, operating primarily in the Mediterranean Sea theater as well as the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea theater. The current commander in chief of the Israeli Navy is Aluf Ram Rothberg.-History:...
missile boat
Missile boat
A Missile Boat is a small craft armed with anti-ship missiles. Being a small craft, missile boats are popular with nations interested in forming an inexpensive navy...
s designed and built by Israel Shipyards
Israel Shipyards
Israel Shipyards is one of the largest shipbuilding and repair facilities in the eastern Mediterranean. The company also operates the first and only privately owned port in Israel....
Ltd. as an improved and stretched Sa'ar 4-class missile boat. There are two different subclasses that are both named Saar 4.5: The first of which initially called Chochit , but renamed to Aliya ; the second of which initially called Nirit but renamed to Hetz .
Aliya subclass
Anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...
s, these missile boats were equipped with aviation facilities that could accommodate two (1 in a regular basis) Bell 206
Bell 206
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...
, MD 500
MD 500 Defender
|-See also:-External links:* *...
, or HH-65
HH-65 Dolphin
The Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin is a twin-engined, single main rotor, MEDEVAC-capable Search and Rescue helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard...
helicopters. Eurocopter Panther was the latest helicopter on these ships in Israeli navy. Aliya-subclass are the smallest warships with a helipad
Helipad
Helipad is a common abbreviation for helicopter landing pad, a landing area for helicopters. While helicopters are able to operate on a variety of relatively flat surfaces, a fabricated helipad provides a clearly marked hard surface away from obstacles where a helicopter can safely...
and helicopter hangar.
In August 1984 INS Aliya and INS Geula were sent to destroy a terrorist facility in Nahr al-Bared
Nahr al-Bared
Nahr al-Bared is a Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon, 16 km from the city of Tripoli. Some 30,000 displaced Palestinians and their descendents live in and around the camp, which was named after the river that runs south of the camp...
, northern Lebanon. Two MD 500 Defender
MD 500 Defender
|-See also:-External links:* *...
s from INS Aliya and another two from INS Geula successfully hit the target. In July 1985 INS Aliya and INS Geula carried out a similar mission near Nahr al-Bared.
In January 2004 both ships were sold to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
for service in the Mexican Navy
Mexican Navy
The Mexican Navy is the naval branch of the Mexican military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order". The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women plus reserves, over...
renamed ARM Huracán
ARM Huracán
The ARM Huracán is a missile boat in the Mexican Navy. Previously a Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boat in the Israeli Sea Corps named the INS Aliya, it was bought by Mexico and placed under control of the Mexican Navy...
and ARM Tormenta
ARM Tormenta
The ARM Tormenta is a missile boat in the Mexican Navy. Previously a Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boat in the Israeli Sea Corps named the INS Geula, it was bought by Mexico and placed under control of the Mexican Navy. Its sister ship is the ARM Huracan....
. On August 23, 2004 the ships were launched in Mexico. Press reports indicates that the Israelis removed the Harpoon missile systems prior to the sale, however the Gabriel anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...
systems were included in the package.
Hetz subclass
Command and Control (military)
Command and control, or C2, in a military organization can be defined as the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commanding officer over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission...
, detection, classification and identification, fire control system, radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
, sonar
Sonar
Sonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
, electronic warfare
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
and communications. The engines and propulsion systems were also upgraded. The ship itself is 4 meters longer than the Sa'ar 4-class to accommodate the new systems.
respectively. Particularly INS Kidon and INS Yaffo were built comprising various older systems that were disassembled from Sa'ar 4-class missile boats with the same names, atop brand new Sa'ar 4.5-class hulls. INS Tarshish possibly also comprised some weapon systems demounted from Sa'ar 4-class missile boat with the same name, atop new Sa'ar 4.5-class hull. Another two further-upgraded Sa'ar 4.5 Hetz-subclass missile boats called INS Herev and INS Sufa commissioned in 2002 and 2003, raising the number of Sa'ar 4.5 Hetz-subclass missile boats to eight. All of them in service in Israeli navy.