| |
|
Article Directory :: Politics & Government Articles
History
In the years immediately following the State's foundation in 1948, Israel's navy comprised just five vessels and in view of spending priorities, the navy remained well down the queue for budget. Five vessels was seen as a fleet adequate to protect Israel's maritime supply routes, perhaps assuming an ability to rely on the United States and other friendly nations in time of crisis.
INS Eilat (an ex-British Z Class destroyer) was lost off the coast of Port Said in 1967 after the Six-Day War, the victim of Egyptian anti-ship missiles launched by small, fast and highly manoeuverable missile boats. This action caused ripples - waves even - in naval circles, just as the air-launched Exocet caused in the Falklands War. The protection of such ships was re-thought, new weapons conceived.
The age of the missile boat really had arrived, leading to a reappraisal of the naval forces and their most important strategic missions for the State. Smaller, faster ships were developed along with next generation surface-to-surface missile technology.
By the time of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the Israeli Navy was ready. Sa'ar -5 Class missile boats (corvettes) were operational (Sa'ar is Hebrew for tempest), carrying the new anti-ship missile systems. With a revised tactical playbook, ECM and Gabriel anti-ship missile system, they demonstrated that the IDF Navy was up with the best that other branches of the IDF had to offer.
Time moved on and and land-based threats were perceived to be the most salient. Hezbollah was firing rockets over the Lebanese borderinto Israeli settlements.
A maritime blockade of Lebanon was established during the second Lebanon War in 2006. The INS Hanit, a Sa'ar-5 Class missile ship was hit by shore launched Chinese-made anti-ship missiles. The successful strike was said to have been due to poor intelligence. Hence, the radar was not turned on.
Since that failure, both of intelligence and self-protection, naval force integration has improved. There have, though, been political setbacks - particularly the fiasco following the interception of a six-ship aid convoy in 2010 which was attempting to run the Gaza blockade.
The IDF Navy is currently in a major procurement phase, though squabbles over budget, strategic capabilities and probable mission profiles continue. These internal differences do nothing to assist the Navy's bid for funds to provide 2 capital fighting vessels (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 Sea and the Red Sea (which leads to the Gulf of Aqaba).
The Suez Canal is used by Israel from time to time. The Strait of Tiran between Egypt and Saudi Arabia at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba, is narrow at 8 miles, and relatively shallow. Strategists would see Eilat as a poor choice of base submarines and other ships because of this bottleneck.
The main Israeli naval bases are at Haifa and Ashdod, on the Mediterranean Sea and Eilat, on the Gulf of Aqaba. Additionally, there are shipyards (maintenance), an information systems centre, an Israeli Navy Commando base, and command and control complexes.
Israel states that it has no plans to base submarines in the Red Sea, and given the 1975 Memorandum of Agreement with the US, and US strategic interests in general, it is reasonable to assume that the US has nuclear submarine assets handily placed at all times in theatre.
Size
The Israeli Navy is the smallest branch of the IDF by a long way. Its establishment is just less than 20,000 persons strong (2011, about 2.5% of Israel's total population).
Its fleet is currently thought to be as listed below (2011), though there may well be other vessels which are undeclared:
Surface Vessels:
3 corvettes
10 missile boats
3 Dolphin Class Submarines
42 patrol boats
6 support ships
Numerous small mission vessels and support craft.
Aircraft:
Rotary wing: Eurocopter Panthers
Fixed wing: IAI Seascan maritime surveillance.
Another two Dolphin Class Submarines are being built.
Future
Once the wrangling over the LCS ships is resolved and a suitable budget signed off, then the IDF Navy will be able to move forward. The vacuum caused by the political fires sweeping across the Maghreb and Middle East is sure to be filled somehow. With the recent sea trials of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shi-Lang, the world naval power picture is shifting, particularly given China's very high level of investment in land and food, mineral extraction and diplomacy in the African continent. Some re-thinking will be necessary all round.
James Marinero has worked in the Middle East and explores Yemen power issues and Chinese blue-water power growth in his up-to-the-minute novel 'Gate of Tears'. Check naval power for more details about regional military issues.
 EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here
More articles by James Marinero
|
Free Report!
Ten Essential Secrets Of Article Marketing ... Grab Your Free
Copy Now:
Need Content?
Regular Top Quality Content for your Blog, Ezine or Website ...
Delivered Direct,
For Free!
Click For Details
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - General
Computers & Technology
Finance & Investment
Food & Drink
Health & Fitness
Home & Family
Internet Marketing/Online Business
Legal
Pets & Animals
Politics & Government
Reference & Education
Religion & Faith
Self-Improvement/Motivation
Social
Sports & Recreation
Travel & Leisure
Writing & Speaking
|
More political articles: - Mexico's Heads Of State - First Republic (Robert Nickel)
After Agustine I of Mexico was forcibly ousted from his self-made throne, the Supreme Executive Power took a provisional government role in managing the nation. Yet the six members of the Executive knew they needed to come up with a permanent solution to the problem of who and how would run Mexico. In the end, they configured a system which created the first Republic of Mexico with Guadalupe Victoria as the first President of Mexico in 1824. - The Fall Of Madero (Robert Nickel)
In November 1911, after working to incite the Mexican Revolution and oust the corrupt president Porfirio Diaz, the leader of the revolt, Francisco Madero, was made President of Mexico. Unfortunately, despite having done so much to create sudden change, the man was, at heart, a moderate. Thrust into a role that required much more political expertise than he had, he was doomed to fail. - Francisco Madero's Path to Revolution (Robert Nickel)
In 1911, after thirty-five years of dictatorial rule by president Porfirio Diaz, the Mexican people had had enough. Angry, fed up and bitter at the administration's corruption, they were incited to rise up and revolt after that year's election, when popular newcomer Francisco Madero "lost" the presidential race in a stunningly obvious case of electoral fraud. This was the beginning of the Mexican Revolution... - Gift Giving: The Pet Lover (Claire Dimmit)
If you are being frustrated by trying to find the perfect gift for the animal lover in your life, you should not give up. Here are a few ideas that can spur your imagination enabling you to find the perfect gift. - The Battle Of Puebla And Cinco De Mayo (Robert Nickel)
Why does the United States celebrate every May 5, or Cinco de Mayo? It's only a regional holiday in Mexico, and is often mistaken to be the commemoration of their Independence Day (which is actually in September). The roots of these festivities go back to the French invasion in 1862, and a decisive initial victory against Napoleon III's forces. - Agustin I: The First Mexican Emperor (Robert Nickel)
The First Emperor of Mexico's regime was the first attempt at a Spain-free governing structure, and it failed fairly quickly. His reign had lasted roughly ten months before collapsing, and while it didn't accomplish a great deal in terms of infrastructure, it marked the true start of the divide between the centrist conservative and the democratic liberal political parties. - The Incredible Work of Benito Juarez (Robert Nickel)
A great deal of Mexico's liberal reforms in the 19th century - the separation of church and state, the proclamation of all citizens as equal in the eyes of the law and the establishment of a market-driven social system, among other things, would not have been possible without the leadership of Benito Juarez. Once an illiterate shepherd, this Zapotec native rose to become a lawyer and eventually ended up involved in some of the most important... - How Maximilian I Became Emperor Of Mexico (Robert Nickel)
It might not be a commonly known fact, but Mexico was, at two separate points, a monarchy; each reign lasted less than five years and was filled with revolts, infighting, and puppet rulers. The first Mexican Empire took place shortly after the country won its independence from Spain in 1821, but collapsed less than eight months after its establishment. The second attempt was the result of Napoleon III's invasion in 1862...
We Automatically Distribute Articles
To Thousands Of Publishers And Web Sites:
Submit Article
All content is viewed and used by you at your own risk and we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of any of the information. The views expressed are those of the individual contributing authors and not necessarily those of this web site, or its owner, Takanomi Limited.
|
|
