Press Release by Israel’s Ministry of Defense
After more than 20 years, the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the IDF are resuming the production of combat ships in Israel. Today, December 12, 2024, the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Eyal Zamir, signed the “Reshef” deal in a small ceremony at HaKirya, Tel Aviv, attended by the Navy Commander, Maj. Gen. David Salama, Deputy Director General and Head of the Defense Procurement Directorate (DOPP), Zeev Landau, Head of the Planning and Force-Build-up Directorate of the IDF, Maj. Gen. Eyal Harel, Chairman of Israel Shipyards, Sami Katsav, CEO of Israel Shipyards, Eitan Zucker, Head of the Finance Division, CPA Dekel Cohen, and other senior officials.
The Ministry of Defense will purchase five advanced Sa’ar ships of the “Reshef” model from Israel Shipyards at a cost of 2.8 billion NIS (about $780 million). This is one of the largest “Blue and White” procurement deals signed in recent years, as part of the Ministry of Defense’s policy to enhance production independence. The deal was approved by the Ministerial Procurement Committee and the Joint Committee of Defense Budget in the Knesset.
The Reshef will be the Navy’s newest and most advanced Sa’ar vessel. It is a multi-mission ship developed in collaboration with the Navy, incorporating the finest advanced weapons systems of the Israeli defense industry. These ships feature cutting-edge technologies that will provide exceptional capabilities and naval superiority for the IDF. The Reshef vessels will replace the aging “Nirit” (Sa’ar 4.5) ships, which have been in service for four decades.
Under the agreement with the Ministry of Defense, Israel Shipyards will manufacture and deliver five Reshef ships to the Navy over approximately six years, with an option to produce additional ships in the future. The local production of these ships will bolster national security and ensure consistent support for the IDF amid evolving challenges.
The Reshef deal embodies the synergy between security, economy, and industry. These new ships will be a cornerstone of the Navy’s growing maritime strength. The decision to produce them in Israel preserves and expands Israel’s sole strategic production line for combat ships, strengthens operational independence and continuity, and ensures hundreds of jobs in northern Israel. I am confident that other nations will follow the Navy’s example and seek to acquire Israeli combat ships. This will further boost Israeli defense exports.
Maj. Gen. (ret.) Eyal Zamir, Director General of the Ministry of Defense
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The Reshef Class
On November 24, 2024, Israel’s Military Procurement Ministerial Committee approved several major acquisitions, including Project Reshef—the Israeli Navy’s next-generation missile ship initiative. Under this agreement, the Ministry of Defense will procure five advanced Reshef-class missile ships from Israel Shipyards, which secured the contract for the class’s detailed design in August 2021. These vessels will replace the aging Hetz/Nirit-class (Sa’ar 4.5) fast attack missile craft (FACM), slated for decommissioning after more than four decades of service. Their design is based on an extended version of Israel Shipyard’s Sa’ar-72 design.
At the CNE 2023 conference in Farnborough, Naval News learned that the Reshef vessels will be constructed using hull modules fabricated overseas by an undisclosed U.S. shipbuilder acting as a subcontractor. These modules will be transported to Israel for integration and outfitting with advanced combat systems. This approach is expected to leverage U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) grants, potentially reducing overall costs. Regarding the contract value of $780 million, Naval News believes it covers only the construction of the hull modules at a US shipyard and part of the equipment. The Reshef-class project is projected to create employment opportunities for hundreds of Israeli workers, with the first ship anticipated to enter operational service by 2027.
The Reshef-class ships will be substantially larger than their predecessors, boasting twice the displacement of the Sa’ar 4.5s and an extended length of approximately 15 meters. They will incorporate advanced stealth features to reduce radar cross-section, enhanced air defense capabilities, and multi-domain warfare systems. These ships are designed to counter evolving threats with a robust arsenal of advanced weaponry. Due to their size, configuration, and capabilities, they may more aptly be classified as light corvettes. The Reshef-class incorporates a Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system for long range misisons. However, the ships will have a slightly reduced top speed, approximately 5 knots slower than the Sa’ar 4.5s which they replace.
Weapons and Sensors
The new rendering suggests the ships will be equipped with a Leonardo OTO 76/62 SR gun mounted at the bow, providing primary firepower. Just behind the gun and forward of the bridge, a Rafael C-Dome point-defense missile system with four 10-cell modules will enhance close-range missile defense. For countermeasures, the design includes a Deseaver decoy launching system positioned atop the bridge and another one aft of the rear mast. The ships will carry eight Gabriel V anti-ship missiles located amidships, complemented by two Rafael Typhoon 25-30mm remote weapon stations (RWS) near the missile launchers. At the rear deck, near the RHIB area, two large boxes—likely loitering munition launchers for systems such as the Mini Harop for IAI—are visible.
The Reshef design will also feature a multi-purpose aft deck, enabling the embarkation of modular payloads withing ISO containers tailored to specific missions. This flexibility will support operations such as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) with 324mm torpedo launchers and towed sonar, potentially including the L3Harris Model 980 ALOFTS system, used today on two Sa’ar 4.5s and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Additional modules may facilitate littoral operations with loitering munitions or mine countermeasure missions.
According to the latest rendering, the electronic systems are expected to feature the IAI ALPHA (Advanced Lightweight Phased Array) ELM-2258 rotating AESA radar on the forward mast, two electro-optical sensors, an advanced electronic warfare suite including the Digital Shark R-ECM from Rafael and NS9003/AquaMarine series R-ESM system from Elbit/Elisra (similar system was fitted on ANZAC-class and Halifax-class frigates of New Zealand and Canada respectively), navigation radars, communication antennas, as well as other sensors and systems likely inherited from the Sa’ar 4.5 class.
Over the past decade, the Israeli Navy has significantly expanded its capabilities. The submarine fleet has grown from three to five vessels, with a sixth submarine expected soon. The corvette fleet has increased from three to seven ships within just three years, complemented by the addition of two logistic support/landing ships—all without the retirement of any vessels. Operating this expanded fleet requires approximately 450 additional crew members. This raises intriguing questions: Were any Sa’ar 4.5-class FACMs quietly retired without public disclosure? Will additional Reshef-class vessels be built to replace the Nirit-class on a one-to-one basis, or will the five new corvettes replace all existing vessels? Only time will reveal Israel’s strategic plans.
