Navy, Defense Ministry test new missile for corvettes
Weapon system declared operational, will be put to use on Sa’ar-5 and soon-to-arrive Sa’ar 6 missile ships bought to assist in the defense of natural gas platforms, military says
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJudah Ari Gross is The Times of Israel's religions and Diaspora affairs correspondent.
The Israeli Navy and Defense Ministry tested a new sea-to-sea missile off the Israeli coast earlier this month, paving the way for their full use on navy corvettes, the military said Friday.
“This system is meant to ensure the naval superiority of the [Sea Corps],” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
The missile system — whose name has not been released — was developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries and was tested by the Navy and the Defense Ministry’s Weapons Development and Technology Infrastructure Administration, known by its Hebrew acronym MAFAT.
“The new missile system has more accurate attack capabilities, abilities to reach farther distances, improved attack flexibility and is better able to handle the advanced threats it is facing,” the IDF said.
Upon completion of the tests two weeks ago, the system was deemed operational and ready for use in the navy. During the trial, one of the missiles was fired at a decommissioned ship that was meant to simulate an enemy vessel.
“The missiles will be integrated into the navy on Sa’ar-5 class missile ships and the new Sa’ar-6 missile ships that are due to be brought into the missile ship fleet in the coming months,” the military said, referring to new, larger vessels that were purchased to assist in the defense of Israel’s natural gas platforms.
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