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2020-12-06

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems Delivers INS Magen to Israel

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems officially handed over the newest SA’AR-6 class missile corvette INS Magen to the Israeli Navy on November 11. This marks another important milestone in the ongoing programme of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as the General Contractor to build four such next-generation SA’AR-6 class missile corvettes for the Israeli Navy.

The handover ceremony was carried out in Kiel and adhered to strict COVID-19 prevention measures.

Dr. Rolf Wirtz, CEO of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems explained: “This programme is based on an open and trusting dialogue with our customer. I would like to thank Israel for the confidence it has shown in us. We are proud to be contributing to Israel’s security. I would also like to thank our employees: Despite challenging circumstances, they have achieved something great with tremendous care and discipline!”

The ships have the stealthy design of a low-signature missile corvette with tailor-made solutions and several new technologies onboard.

The contract for the delivery of four SA’AR 6 corvettes - performed by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (Lead) and project partner German Naval Yards - was signed in May 2015.

The construction phase began with the steel cutting ceremony in February 2018. Just over a year after the first steel cut, the ship was undocked, fulfilling its ambitious schedule.

The INS Magen was named in Kiel In May 2019. The other three ships are scheduled for delivery in intervals of a few months.

Strong Features

The security aspect remains prime and the 2,000-tonne missile ship is equipped with two Iron Dome interceptor launchers — known as the Naval Dome — to intercept rockets.

A Barak-8 battery has been incorporated to shoot down cruise and ballistic missiles. The ships are covered in some 260 static radar arrays that allow them to detect incoming projectiles and aircraft in the sky, besides ships and low-flying cruise missiles at sea level.

Earlier, a ship would have required two separate radar systems, one to detect objects at sea level and another to scan the skies.

Advancements in stealth technology have been remarkable in recent decades. Though the SA’AR-6, which has a helicopter landing pad on its back, is larger than SA’AR-5 and SA’AR-4.5, it shows up as far smaller on radar.

The SA’AR-6 is specifically built to house both male and female sailors, unlike its predecessors. The navy expects roughly a quarter of the crew of the missile ships to be women. It is true that the first SA’AR-6, the INS Magen, has formally changed hands, but it will not be operational for several months.

Though the ship will be fully constructed, the majority of the sensors, weapons and defence systems come from Israeli companies and will be installed and linked together in Israel. The other three SA’AR-6-class corvettes — the INS Oz, the INS Atzma’ut and the INS Nitzahon — are expected to arrive over the next year or so.

Reference Text/Photo:www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com

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