Israel purchased four corvette class warships from Germany with an eye towards upgrading its navy and its ability to protect its natural gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea, the Associated Press reported today.
The purchase of the ships was announced Monday in Tel Aviv, as the countries were marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between them.
It’s been nearly two decades since Israel replenished its naval ships and military officials are hoping the “Corvette” will become the future combat boat of the Israeli navy. The ships will be provided over the next five years and are also expected to protect Israel’s maritime gas fields.
Dan Harel, the Defense Ministry’s director-general, said the deal marked a “dramatic jump in the navy’s defensive capabilities.”
Reuters reported additional details on the ships.
Israel has huge and mostly untapped gas fields that cover some 23,000 square km (9,000 square miles) of sea — more than Israel’s territory on land.
Israeli planners see possible sea-borne or rocket threats to gas facilities from Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, making expanding the naval presence a priority for them.
Israel’s navy chief, Admiral Ram Rotberg, said in a separate statement that the corvettes would be classed as “Saar 6” missile boats — suggesting a major improvement in capabilities.
Germany will pay part of the cost of the ships as part of Holocaust reparations. Currently the top Israeli class of warship is called “Saar 5.”
Israel is also integrating into its navy a fifth “Dolphin” class submarine—to be delivered in the middle of this year—as well as a fleet of unmanned surface vehicles, in order to better protect the natural gas fields.