The Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boats is a class of Israeli Sea Corps missile boats designed and built by Israel Shipyards Ltd. as an improved and stretched. There are two different subclasses that are both named Sa'ar 4.5. The first subclass was initially called Chochit, but renamed to Aliya. Two Aliya-subclass boats are in service with the Mexican Navy. The second subclass was initially called Nirit but renamed to Hetz.
History
The original construction plan for Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boats included: Two helicopter-equipped boats :
INS Aliya
INS Geula
Three ordinary missile boats :
INS Romach,
INS Keshet and
INS Nirit
The keel of INS Nirit was laid in 1984 but the construction ceased due to lack of funds and it was finally launched in 1990 and commissioned in 1991 with some modern equipment, eventuality renamed to INS Hetz. Consequently the older INS Romach and INS Keshet were upgraded to match the INS Hetz specifications. ,, and INS Yaffo' commissioned in 1997, 1997, and 1998 respectively. Particularly INS Kidon and INS Yaffo were built comprising various older systems that were disassembled from Sa'ar 4-class boats with the same names, atop brand newSaar 4.5-class hulls. INS Tarshish possibly also comprised some weapon systems demounted from the Sa'ar 4-class missile boat with the same name, atop a new Sa'ar 4.5-class hull. Another two further-upgraded Sa'ar 4.5 Hetz-subclass missile boats called and were commissioned in 2002 and 2003, raising the number of Sa'ar 4.5 Hetz-subclass missile boats to eight.
Subclasses
''Aliya'' subclass
The first two Sa'ar 4.5 boats were Aliya subclass. Two boats of this version were built and launched in 1980, the first one being, followed by. Additionally to the anti-ship missiles, these missile boats were equipped with aviation facilities that could accommodate two Bell 206, MD 500, or HH-65 helicopters. Eurocopter Panther was the last helicopter deployed on these boats in the Israeli Navy. The Aliya subclass are the smallest warships with a helipad and helicopter hangar. In August 1984, INS Aliya and INS Geula were sent to destroy a terrorist facility in Nahr al-Bared, northern Lebanon. Two MD 500 Defenders from INS Aliya and another two from INS Geula successfully hit the target. In July 1985, INS Aliya and INS Geula carried out a similar mission near Nahr al-Bared.
''Hetz'' subclass
Sa'ar 4.5 Hetz-subclass missile boats lack the helicopter facilities of the Aliya subclass, but have more weapon systems fitted. They are largely based on the with improvements in electronic systems: command and control, detection, classification and identification, fire control system, radar, sonar, electronic warfare and communications. The engines and propulsion systems were also upgraded. The boat itself is longer than the s to accommodate the new systems.
Users
Israel
As of 2019, eight Hetz-subclass boats are in service with the Israeli Navy.
In January 2004 both INS Aliya and INS Geula were sold to Mexico for service in the Mexican Navy. On August 23, 2004the boats were relaunched in Mexico renamed and. Press reports indicate that Israel removed the Harpoon missile systems prior to the sale, however, the Gabrielanti-ship missile systems were included in the package.
Greece
The Hellenic Coast Guard bought three offshore patrol boats based on the Sa'ar 4.5 Nirit-class design, but armed only with a 30 mm gun. A crane is installed at the deck space normally reserved for missiles.
