Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boat

Sa'ar 4.5 (Hebrew: סער 4.5) is a class of Israeli Sea Corps missile boats designed and built by Israel Sypyards Ltd. as an improved and stretched Sa'ar 4-class missile boat. There are two different subclasses that are both named Saar 4.5: The first of which initially called "Chochit" (Hebrew: חוחית), but renamed to Aliya (Hebrew: עליה); the second of which initially called "Nirit" (Hebrew: נירית) but renamed to Hetz (Hebrew: חץ).

Subclasses

Aliya subclass

Missile boat of this class was the first Sa'ar 4.5 to come out. Two ships of this version were built and launched in 1980, the first one being INS Aliya, followed by INS Geula. Additionally to the anti-ship missiles, these missile boats were equipped with aviation facilities that could accommodate two (1 in a regular basis) Bell 206, MD 500, or HH-65 helicopters. Eurocopter Panther was the latest helicopter on these ships in Israeli navy. Aliya-subclass are the smallest warships with a helipad and helicopter hangar.

In July 10, 1985 INS Aliya and INS Geula were sent to destroy a terrorist facility in northern Lebanon. Two MD 500 Defenders from INS Aliya successfully hit the target, however another two helicopter gunships from INS Geula couldn't take-off because of failure in one of them standing on the helipad.

In January 2004 both ships were sold to Mexico for service in the Mexican Navy renamed ARM Huracán and ARM Tormenta. In August 23, 2004 the ships were launched in Mexico. Press reports indicates that the Israelis removed the Harpoon missile systems prior to the sale, however the Gabriel anti-ship missile systems were included in the package.Fact|date=February 2008

Hetz subclass

Sa'ar 4.5 Hetz-subclass missile boat lacks the helicopter facilities of the Aliya-subclass, but has more weapon systems fitted. It is largely based on the Sa'ar 4-class missile boat with improvements in electronic systems: command and control, detection, classification and identification, fire control system, radar, sonar, electronic warfare and communications. The engines and propulsion systems were also upgraded. The ship itself is 4 meters longer than the Sa'ar 4-class to accommodate the new systems.

The original construction plan for Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boats included 2 helicopter-equipped ships (INS Aliya and INS Geula) and three ordinary missile boats: INS Romach, INS Keshet and INS Nirit. INS Nirit was laid up in 1984 but the construction ceased due to lack of founds and it was finally launched in 1991 with some modern equipment, eventuality renamed to INS Hetz. Consequently the older INS Romach, INS Keshet Sa'ar 4.5-class ships and even older INS Kidon and INS Yaffo Sa'ar 4-class ships were rebuilt upgraded to match the INS Hetz specifications. INS Tarshish was launched in 1995. Another two further-upgraded Sa'ar 4.5 Hetz-subclass missile boats called INS Herev and INS Sufa launched in 2002 and 2003 respectively, raising the number of Sa'ar 4.5 Hetz-subclass missile boats to eight. All of them in service in Israeli navy.

ee also

*Sa'ar 4-class missile boat
*Sa'ar 5-class missile boat
*Israeli Sea Corps

External links

* [http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/naval/saar45/Saar45.html Sa'ar 4.5 Israeli-Weapons]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/aliya.htm Aliya on Global Security]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/hetz.htm Hetz on Global Security]
* [http://www.israel-shipyards.com/products.asp?d=n1 Sa'ar 4.5 on Israel Shipyards website]
* [http://www.sibat.mod.gov.il/SibatMain/sibat/naval/saar45.htm Sa'ar on SIBAT website]