WarSclerotic

The navy is now interested in the Meko A-100 multimission corvette, built by Blohm and Voss, part of Germany’s Thyssen-Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) Group. For such a vessel to outperform the current Eilat class, Israel will probably opt for the latest stealth version known as the Meko CSL, which can be adapted to meet Israeli requirements for versatility, sensors and deck space. The CSL corvette is a modular vessel that can be rapidly configured for different missions.

Israel’s navy has been focused on defending the nation’s coastline and strategic shipping routes in the Mediterranean. Since Iran became the main supplier of weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, intercepting arms-smuggling routes has redirected the mission of Israel’s naval forces to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Israel’s reach in these areas was demonstrated by the recent transit of a Dolphin-class submarine and Saar 5 corvettes through the Suez Canal, en route to temporary deployments in the Red Sea.

The Meko CSL is 108 meters (354 ft.) long, with a beam of 21 meters and full-load displacement of 2,750 metric tons. Propulsion is by a combined diesel-and-gas/water-jet system that reaches 40 kt. Cruising range at 15 kt. is 3,500 nm., and endurance is 21 days. The vessel can put to sea with a crew of 75.

Armed with the Barak 8 extended-range air-defense system from Israel Aerospace Industries, the two CSLs are expected to become the world’s first air-defense corvettes. This will give the Israeli surface fleet independent air cover for the first time, enabling ships to deploy farther from home. With a large deck surface and conformal mast, the new vessel can be equipped with more missiles than the current Saar 5 and, importantly, its superstructure can mount Elta’s MF-Star radar. This 360-deg. phased-array radar supports simultaneous surface search operations and multiple antiaircraft, antimissile and surface-attack weapons. The vessel will also carry antisubmarine weapons and a helicopter. As with all Israeli purchases, an important issue is the integration of locally designed and produced electronic systems. The navy uses the Elbit/Elisra Aqua Marine integrated electronic support measures/electronic countermeasures warfare suite on its Saar 5 corvettes. It is expected that the Meko will include the latest advanced electronic warfare systems.

Another advantage of the vessel would be accommodating the navy’s robotic systems. The ship could become a support platform for unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles, since it would have adequate deck space and launch and retrieval capabilities.

A major advantage of the Meko CSL design is stealth. By employing technologies developed for the latest German warships and Sweden’s Visby-class stealth corvettes, Meko designers reduced the ship’s infrared signature by 75% through elimination of the conventional uptakes. Exhaust gases are ducted through a horizontal system, cooled by sea water and expelled underwater. Smooth hull-plating and concealed deck equipment are other stealth enhancements from the Visby class. Other features include a water-jet propulsion system that reduces the wake, the use of composite (nonmagnetic) structures and advanced sensors. Research on the Visby-class vessels began in the 1990s by Swedish ship designer Kockums, now part of TKMS.

Israel regards its German shipbuilders as reliable suppliers. The Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werf of Kiel and Nordseewerke of Emden have delivered three Dolphin-class submarines to the navy, and two more are under construction. Each new sub reportedly includes an additional 10-meter section for installation of an air-independent propulsion system, which enables the vessel to remain submerged for several weeks.

Israel’s submarines are believed to be equipped with underwater-launched cruise missiles capable of striking land targets at long range. With such capability, Israel could possess a potential second strike option in a nuclear confrontation with Iran.

Should all go according to plan with its modernization program, the navy would become Israel’s second strategic arm after the air force.

Credit: Lockheed Martin