One of Israel’s brand new Magen-class Sa’ar 6 corvettes has completed first live-fire trials with the Gabriel 5 anti-ship missile.
The trials took place in August and were part of the Israeli Navy’s process of operationalization of a range of weapon systems on the new class of ships.
At the beginning of the year, the navy also completed the first series of live-fire trials of C-Dome, a new variant of the Iron Dome, aboard the Sa’ar 6 corvettes.
The C-Dome trials were carried out from aboard INS Magen, the first of six corvettes in the class built in Germany by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The Gabriel 5 missile trial was hosted by the second unit in the class, INS Oz.
“The operationalization of the Gabriel 5 system is a technological breakthrough in the field of maritime defense and is a product of the naval combat soldiers and engineers, the Defense Ministry’s DDR&D, and IAI’s diligent, intensive, and professional work,” Israel’s defense ministry said.
Gabriel 5 is the latest member of the Gabriel family of missiles produced by Israel Aerospace Industries. It has a reported range of at least 200 kilometers.
In addition to the Gabriel and C-Dome missile systems, Israel’s new Magen-class ships will carry Oto Melara 76 mm main guns and torpedo launchers.
Based on the German Navy K130 corvettes, SA’AR 6 ships incorporate stealth design features and measure 90 meters in length. They have a helipad and hangaring space for an embarked helicopter.
The Sa’ar 6-class is be the country’s most advanced ship yet, and will be in charge of protecting the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone and gas platforms in the Mediterranean Sea.
