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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. It’s a decent performer in a number of roles, from air defense to anti-submarine work, to coastal patrol and special forces support – but a master of none. The Israelis are looking for a next-generation vessel with better high-end capabilities, and the USA is their logical supplier. Given Israel’s size and cost requirements, however, the only American option is their Littoral Combat Ship.

LCS-I components
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The Israelis have a long-standing relationship with Lockheed Martin, and a 2,500-3,000t LCS design with the USA’s swappable mission modules could significantly improve 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 took a different approach, eliminating the ship’s swappable mission modules in favor of a much more heavily-armed vessel.

Initial studies were conducted in conjunction with Lockheed Martin, leading to an RFP and even an official $1.9 billion DSCA request for Lockheed Martin’s LCS-I design. That would have made Israel the first LCS export customer – but now the Israelis are reportedly backing away from the ship’s high costs, and looking at another solution…

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

Stay on top of news about Israel's new frigate, 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
• Changes to the program that have Israel looking at other options
• 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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