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Saar 5 Eilat Class
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The 1,227t/ 1,350 ton Sa’ar 5 Eilat Class corvettes were built by Northrop Grumman in the 1990s for about $260 million each. Their two 32-cell launchers for short-range Barak surface-air missiles, Mk15 Phalanx gun option, and IAI Elta EL/M-2218S and EL/M-2221 GM STGR radars give them moderate anti-air capabilities. Bow-mounted and towed sonars, plus 6×324mm torpedo tubes for ATK’s Mark 46 torpedoes, give them moderate anti-submarine capability. Surface warfare is addressed well, with Typhoon remotely-operated 7.62-30mm gun/missile systems to deal with guerrilla craft, Harpoon or Gabriel anti-ship missiles for use against larger ships or land targets, and a 76mm Oto Melara naval gun option that can be installed in place of the Phalanx CIWS system. The Eilat Class’ helicopter hangar can accommodate H-665A Dauphin/Panther, Kaman SH-2F or Sikorsky S-76N helicopters, and the ship is also capable of launching small boats or USVs like RAFAEL’s Protector series in support of Special Forces missions or other tasks. Some have called them a better model for the USA to adopt, as it seeks an affordable Littoral Combat Ship.

LCS-I components
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The Israelis are also looking for a next-generation vessel these days, the USA remains their logical supplier. A 2,500-3,000t LCS design with the USA’s swappable mission modules would significantly enhance Israel’s ability to conduct anti-submarine warfare and mine neutralization missions. Unfortunately, the weak armament of the USA’s LCS ships is inadequate for the Israelis, who need their ships to be able to engage other naval vessels, and to provide their own air defense. Worse, the American design lacks the flexibility to add meaningful weapons upgrades in future. As a result, the Israelis are taking a different approach to Lockheed’s LCS design, eliminating the swappable mission modules in favor of a much more heavily-armed vessel.

Initial studies were conducted with Lockheed Martin, centered around their design’s ability to successfully accommodate an array of Israeli electronics and weapons. Those studies were apparently successful; in October 2007, reports indicated that Israel was leaning toward Lockheed Martin’s LCS-I design as its next major surface combatant. These new ships would modernize its surface fleet, superseding the Sa’ar 5s at the high end of Israel’s naval capabilities. Now, an RFP has been issued – and so has an official DSCA request for Lockheed Martin’s LCS-I design, which would make Israel the first LCS export customer…

• LCS-I: Details and Rationale
• LCS-I: Contracts & Key Events
• Additional Readings & Sources

Stay on top of news about Israel's modern AEGIS frigate based on one of the USA's Littoral Combat Ship platforms, when you subscribe to DII. Our coverage includes:

• Timeline of key events, including advance studies, the RFP, and subsequent developments
• A review of the Lockheed Martin LCS-I and major changes to the US Navy's Freedom Class LCS design
• Discussion of Israeli defense requirements and system capability measures
• Related discussion from DII, including: "The USA's New Littoral Combat Ships," and "USN Approves LCS Surface Warfare Package - But Doubts Remain"
• Links to corporate source materials, product videos and brochures, and additional news coverage
• 4 photos and graphics

Subscribe now to the Defense Industry Insider. DII covers hundreds of defense procurement programs, and gives thousands of links, expert analysis and the latest industry news.

 

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