For their relatively small size, the Israeli Sa’ar-6 corvettes are among the most heavily armed vessels in the world.
The Israeli Navy is undergoing a significant transformation as it moves fast and hard to counter the growing threats it faces from the Islamic Republic of Iran and its allied non-state proxy groups—chiefly Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
One such advancement comes in the form of the Sa’ar-6-class corvettes. Ordered in May 2015 and constructed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in Germany, four ships of this class have been built—INS Magen (Shield), INS Oz (Valor), INS Atzmaut (Independence), and INS Nitzachon (Victory). These warships are now the backbone of Israel’s surface warfare fleet.
Why Israel Needs the Sa’ar-6 Corvette
Sa’ar-6 corvettes are based loosely on the German Braunschweig-class (K130) corvettes and were customized to meet Israel’s unique operational requirements. Crucially, these ships are significantly larger than their Sa’ar-5 predecessors. However, the hull and superstructures incorporate stealth technology to reduce radar cross-section and infrared signatures, making them harder to detect by enemy radar-guided missiles. This stealth design is critical given the threat of anti-ship cruise missiles—notably the Chinese-made C-802 missile used by Hezbollah to strike the INS Hanit, a Sa’ar-5 corvette, during the 2006 Lebanon war. That attack killed four Israeli sailors.
Construction of the Sa’ar-6 corvettes began in 2018, with all four ships delivered between December 2020 and July 2021. The project was partially subsidized by the German government, which covered one-third of the costs, continuing a pattern of support seen in Israel’s Dolphin-class submarine program. The ships were built in Kiel, Germany, by the TKMS corporation in collaboration with German Naval Yards Holdings.
Upon arrival in Israel, the ships were outfitted with Israeli-made sensors, weapons, and communication systems, a process that took roughly two years per ship—a relatively rapid timeline compared to the decade required for the Sa’ar-5 corvettes to become fully operational.
The Sa’ar-6 Corvettes Are Armed to the Teeth
For their relatively small size, the Israeli Sa’ar-6 corvettes are among the most heavily armed vessels in the world. The corvettes are each equipped with a multi-layered defense system—most notably including 32 Vertical Launch Cells for Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, capable of engaging targets like missiles, aircraft, and drones at ranges exceeding 57 miles. Additionally, 40 cells house the C-Dome system, a naval variant of the Iron Dome, which intercepts short-range rockets and artillery shells. The C-Dome proved its effectiveness in combat last year, intercepting a Hezbollah unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and other targets.
As one might expect, the Sa’ar-6’s loadout is not purely defensive. Up to 16 anti-ship missiles, such as the Gabriel V, are fitted amidships. These missiles, with a reported range of up to 248 miles, are optimized for littoral environments and feature active radar seekers for precision targeting. An Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun also provides high-rate fire against air and surface targets, with a range of up to 12 miles (or 25 miles with advanced Vulcano ammunition). Two Rafael Typhoon remote weapon stations, typically armed with 30mm cannons, offer close-in protection against small boats and other asymmetrical threats.
Sa’ar-6 corvettes have two 324mm torpedo launchers that support MK54 lightweight torpedoes, providing moderate anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities. What’s more, a hangar and flight deck accommodate medium-class helicopters such as the SH-60F Seahawk, enhancing maritime patrol and ASW missions.
The corvette’s sensor suite is anchored by the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which offers complete coverage and can detect aircraft at 155 miles and sea-skimming missiles at 15 miles. Elbit Systems designed the electronic warfare (EW) suite, incorporating cyber defense, decoys, and jamming systems, though many of its finer details remain classified. These systems are integrated into a networked architecture, allowing the corvettes to connect with Israel’s broader air defense network, including land-based Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems.
The Sa’ar-6 Was Built to Defend Israel’s Gas Fields
It wasn’t only the threat that a variety of terrorist groups posed to Israel that prompted Israel to procure these warships. Evolving maritime threats related to Israel’s discovery of significant natural gas reserves in Israel’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the early 2000s were also a major reason for the acquisition of the Sa’ar-6 corvettes.
These reserves supply over 60 percent of Israel’s electricity and support exports to Jordan and Egypt, making them vital strategic assets for Israel. The Israeli Navy must protect these assets and secure nearby shipping lanes, which handle 97 percent of Israel’s imports.
Of course, the corvettes have already proven their worth against terrorist threats such as Hamas. Following the horrific events of October 7, 2023, in which Hamas militants slaughtered nearly 1,200 Israeli civilians and took hundreds of hostages, the INS Oz and INS Magen conducted devastating strikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, including a weapons manufacturing facility, using their 76mm guns. Meanwhile, the INS Magen was deployed in December 2023 to counter Houthi missile and drone attacks on Eilat.
Of course, the Houthi threat persists today—and is even more robust than it was two years ago. While the Sa’ar-6 corvettes are definitely powerful players for Israel’s Navy, the inability to destroy the Houthis for good reminds us that the Israeli military is not as dominant as the world is sometimes led to believe. Still, the Sa’ar-6 corvettes are an impressive bit of technology. Israel is better off with these warships than they were without them.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Bjoern Wylezich.
