In the years immediately after its formal creation in 1948, the IDF Navy had just five vessels and spending priorities meant that the navy remained well down the queue for budget. Five vessels was seen as a fleet adequate to protect Israel's maritime supply lines, perhaps assuming an ability to rely on the US and other allies should the need arise.
Israeli Navy Ship ("INS") Eilat was sunk off the Egypt in 1967 after the Six-Day War, a casualty of Egyptian anti-ship missiles launched by small highly manoeuverable missile boats. This action created waves - in leading naval strategy, in the same way as the Argentinian-launched Exocets caused in the conflict with Britain in the Falkland Islands. Defence of such ships was re-thought, new weapons conceived.
The age of the agile missile platform had certainly arrived, leading to a fundamental re-think of the naval forces and their key strategic missions for Israel. Smaller, faster ships were designed and built along with next generation surface-to-surface missile technology.
When the Yom Kippur War started in 1973, the IDF Navy was ready. Sa'ar -5 Class missile boats (corvettes) were operational, equipped with the new missile systems. With a revised tactical handbook, ECM and Gabriel anti-ship weapons system, they demonstrated that the IDF Navy was up with the best that other arms of the IDF offered.
Time moved on and and land-based threats were perceived to be the most salient. Hezbollah was launching rockets over the Lebanese borderinto Israeli towns and villages.
A sea blockade of the Lebanon was established during the 2nd Lebanon War in 2006. A Sa'ar-5 Class missile boat (the INS Hanit) was hit by Syrian-provided, shore-launched, Chinese-made anti-ship missiles. The embarrassing hit, killing four sailors was later found (supposedly) to have been because of inaccurate or non-existent intelligence. Because of this, the radar was not turned on.
Since that shortcoming, both of intelligence and self-protection, force integration has improved. There have, though, been political setbacks - particularly the fiasco following the helicopter-borne interdiction of a six vessel aid convoy in 2010 which was attempting to break the Gaza blockade.
The Israeli Navy is currently in a major procurement phase, but arguments about finances, strategic capabilities and probable mission profiles continue. Internal arguments detract from the Navy's bid for funds to acquire 2 capital ships (à la US LCS or Danish Standard Flex) for its fleet.
Operational Theatres and Bases
The two key theatres for the IDF are the Mediterranean and the Red Sea (which leading to the Gulf of Aqaba).
The Suez Canal is occasionally used by Israeli vessels. The Strait of Tiran between Egypt and Saudi Arabia at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba, is narrow at 8 miles, and shallow. Strategists generally view Eilat as a poor choice of base submarines and other ships because of this constriction.
The key Israeli naval ports are Haifa and Ashdod, on the Mediterranean Coast and Eilat, on the Gulf of Aqaba, between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, there are shipyards, an IT base, an IDF Navy Seals base, and command and control headquarters.
Israel says that there are no plans to base submarines in the Red Sea, and given the 1975 Memorandum of Agreement and US strategic concerns in general, it is fair to posit that the US has nuclear submarine assets conveniently placed at all times for this theatre and for Iran in particular.
Size
It is the smallest branch of the IDF by a long way. Its establishment is just less than 20,000 persons strong (in 2011, less than 3% of the state's population).
The fleet is generally thought to be as listed below (2011), but there may be other assets which are undisclosed:
Surface Vessels:
3 Sa'ar 5 Class Corvettes
10 Sa'ar 4 and Sa'ar 4.5 Class
3 Submarines
42 patrol boats
6 logistics ships
Various small mission vessels and support craft.
Aircraft:
Rotary wing: Eurocopter Panthers
Fixed wing: IAI Seascan sea surveillance.
Another two Dolphin Class Submarines are being built.
What's the Outlook?
When the arguing over the LCS ships is settled and a suitable budget signed off, then the IDF Navy will be able to move forward. The vacuum resulting from the popular revolutions sweeping across the Maghreb and Middle East will be filled somehow. With the recent first sea trials of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shi-Lang, the world naval power balance is shifting, particularly given China's significant level of investment in land and food, mining and diplomatic relations in the African continent. Some re-thinking will be required in Tel Aviv and Western capitals.
Author Resource:-
James Marinero has worked in many countries and explores Yemen power issues and Chinese blue-water ambitions in his topical novel 'Gate of Tears'. Check navies for more details about regional military issues.
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