The Israeli Ministry of Defense has formalized one of the largest defense contracts in recent years by signing an agreement for the construction of five Reshef-class corvettes, worth 2.8 billion shekels (approximately 780 million dollars).
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The new ships, designed to patrol the country’s maritime economic zones, will be built over approximately six years at the local Israel Shipyards. However, some hull modules will be manufactured in the United States, allowing the program to leverage foreign military financing from American donations, thereby reducing the project’s total cost.
Strategic defense initiative
This agreement marks a return to warship production in Israel after 20 years, aligning with the Defense Department’s policy to increase self-reliance and strengthen the local industry. The construction of the corvettes is considered a significant advancement for national security and a vital support for the Israel Defense Forces amid ongoing regional challenges.
Features and capabilities
With a displacement of 1,000 tons, the Reshef corvettes are equipped with heavy weaponry, and their primary air defense system is the naval version of the Iron Dome. These ships will replace the old Sa’ar 4.5-class missile boats, modernizing the Israeli fleet.
The program also includes a modular integration process, with the installation of weaponry and radar systems being carried out at Israeli shipyards. This approach combines local and international technologies to optimize the project’s efficiency and cost.
In addition to strengthening maritime defense, the agreement opens opportunities for the production of additional ships in the future, promoting the continuous development of Israel’s naval industry.
Source and images: Israel Ministry of Defense, X @Israel_MOD. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
