Tel Aviv: Israeli experts have point to the limited use of Sea-Ground systems by the Israeli Navy. “While such Ground – Ground systems have been used by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) Artillery Corps and the air launched versions by the Air Force, the Navy has a limited number of these systems and they were not used as expected in recent conflicts,” one expert said.
The Israeli Navy has made significant strides in sea-ground capabilities, but the evolving threat environment and the need for greater operational flexibility suggest that further investment in advanced sea-ground systems is needed.
”Expanding these capabilities will enhance Israel’s deterrence, improve support for ground forces, and ensure robust defence of national assets against emerging maritime and land-based threats,” one of the experts said.
With the arrival of the advanced Germany made SAAR 6-class corvettes, the Israeli Navy has upgrade its capabilities. Modern air defence systems like the C-Dome (Naval Iron Dome) and Barak 8 are installed on these ships, along with sophisticated electronic warfare systems.
Naval platforms and armaments that can hit ground targets from the water are referred to as sea-ground (or sea-to-shore) systems.
Some years ago, the LORA missile developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) was test launched from an Israeli SAAR 6 corvette. The LORA has a range of 500 km.
Rafael has also developed a sea launched version of its Ice Breaker standoff missile. Rafael says that the SeaBreaker provides surgical, pin-point precision strikes from stand-off ranges of up to 300 km. It features an advanced IIR (Imaging Infra-Red) seeker, and is ideal, according to the company, for engagement of maritime and land targets, stationary or moving.
SeaBreaker can be launched from naval platforms, varying in size, from fast attack missile boats, to corvettes and frigates.
Expanding sea-ground systems could further strengthen Israel’s security posture, even as the upgrading of the Israeli Navy has greatly improved its striking and defence capabilities.
In recent weeks, the Israeli Air Force has performed a number of attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen. The attacks involved flying to a range of 2000 km and back with aerial refueling.
The experts said that Sea-Ground missiles launched from Israeli navy ships and submarines can be a very efficient substitute to aerial long range attacks.
According to foreign media, the new German built Dolphin 2 submarines are also equipped the sea – ground missiles.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
