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The Israeli Defense Ministry has signed a NIS 2.8 billion agreement to acquire five advanced Reshef missile ships from Israel Shipyards, a significant step toward modernizing the Israel Navy.
The deal, approved on Thursday by Defense Ministry Director-General Eyal Zamir, follows years of delays but is now set to replace the aging Saar 4.5-class vessels with more advanced and agile maritime assets.
The Reshef missile ships, each weighing 1,000 tons less than the new Saar 6 ships, are designed to be faster and more maneuverable, making them a crucial upgrade to the Navy’s capabilities.
The new vessels will play a key role in strengthening Israel’s maritime defense. The decision to move forward with the deal comes after the Ministerial Procurement Committee and the Knesset Joint Committee on the Defense Budget gave their approval.
While announcements of the impending deal had been made in 2021 and again in mid-2023, approvals had been delayed for reasons that remain unclear.
The deal’s approval comes shortly after a set of recommendations from former National Security Council adviser Yaakov Nagel, who had called for an overhaul of the defense establishment.
The first Reshef missile ships are expected to be delivered by 2031, with potential for additional vessels in the future.
The Reshef-class ships will join a growing fleet of modern naval assets, including the larger and more heavily armed German-made Saar 6 vessels, which were integrated into the fleet in recent years.
The Defense Ministry also has plans to acquire new submarines from Germany, further enhancing Israel’s maritime strength.
Manufacturing the Reshef missile ships locally in Israel is seen as a significant boost to the nation’s defense industry. The ships will incorporate cutting-edge technology and advanced weapon systems developed in collaboration with the Israel Navy.
According to the Defense Ministry, the Reshef missile ship will be the Navy’s most advanced Sa’ar-class vessel, ensuring naval superiority and operational continuity for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Once these new ships are operational, the Nirit Saar 4.5-class missile ship, which has served for four decades, will be decommissioned.
Zamir emphasized that the deal reflects a combination of security, economic, and industrial priorities. The vessels will not only strengthen the Navy’s maritime capabilities but also contribute to Israel’s strategic independence in defense production.
Building the ships locally will secure hundreds of jobs and continue the nation’s exclusive strategic production line for combat vessels.
Israel Shipyards, established in 1959, has a long history of contributing to the country’s defense capabilities. It was one of the first Western-affiliated companies to produce a fast attack missile boat, the Saar 4, which was followed by the Saar 4.5-class vessels.
With the new Reshef-class ships, Israel Shipyards is poised to continue its critical role in the nation’s defense industry, ensuring that the Israel Navy remains well-equipped for the challenges of modern warfare.