Israel Shipyards unveiled a new landing craft, 24 meters in length, which it tailored for an undisclosed customer. The landing craft designed for a broad spectrum of missions is ideal for nations aiming to enhance their operational capabilities on rivers and lakes, addressing the operational needs of various nations. This vessel’s introduction is part of Israel Shipyards’ broader objective to contribute to the enhancement and security of waterways worldwide. Foreign sources have already reported in the past that the Israeli Navy has several such landing craft that are used by the 13th flotilla to transport commando vehicles.
The Israeli Navy’s transition away from using landing craft, culminating in the decommissioning of the Ashdod class ships like the INS Ashdod in 2001, reflects a strategic shift in its operational focus and capabilities. The Ashdod class landing ships were part of Israel’s efforts to maintain a versatile and capable naval force, designed for various tasks including amphibious operations. Built in Israel in 1966-67, these ships served the Israeli Navy for several decades before being retired, with the last of the class, INS Ashdod, decommissioned in 2001??. This gap in capability was due to a reassessment of the navy’s strategic needs and priorities.
Israel Shipyards is a large shipbuilding and repair facilities in the eastern Mediterranean. The company also operates a privately owned port in Israel. The company’s facilities are located at the Kishon Port (part of the Port of Haifa complex). Israel Shipyards is controlled by the Shlomo Group, a holding group owned by businessman Shlomo Shmeltzer. Facilities include a shiplift (syncrolift), capable lifting up to 3,000 tons, or 100-meter (330 ft) length overall ships, and a 1,000-meter (3,300 ft)-long quay with 12 meters (39 ft) of water depth.The company uses its facilities to build and deliver non-ship related commissions; recently completed projects.
The company was founded in 1959 by the State of Israel to build both military and civilian ships, and to provide marine engineering upgrade, maintenance and repair services. In 1995, following years of underperformance and continued losses under state ownership, the company was privatized and sold to a group of local investors who, since 1998, have returned it to profitability. In May 2013 Israel Shipyard unveiled a new ‘Mini Corvette’ design, the Sa’ar S-72 class; to offer the Israeli Navy a new class, which fits between the Navy’s existing Sa’ar 4.5-class missile boats, and Sa’ar 5-class corvettes.
