View source for Israeli Navy

{{Short description|Maritime service branch of the Israel Defense Forces}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Israeli Navy
| native_name                   = {{Nobold|{{Script/Hebrew|חיל הים הישראלי}}}}
| image                         = IsraeliNavy.png
| image_size                    = 150
| alt                           = 
| caption                       = Emblem of the Israeli Navy
| start_date                    = {{Start date and age|1948}}
| disbanded                     = 
| country                       = {{flag|Israel}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Navy]]
| role                          = 
| size                          = 7 [[corvette]]s <small>({{sclass2|Sa'ar 5|corvette|4}}, {{sclass2|Sa'ar 6|corvette|4}})</small><br>8 [[missile boat]]s <small>({{sclass2|Sa'ar 4.5|missile boat|4}})</small><br />5 [[submarine]]s <small>({{sclass|Dolphin|submarine|4}})</small><br />45 [[patrol boat]]s<br />4 support ships<br />
9,500 active<ref name=IISS1>{{cite book| url=https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/the-military-balance-2023| title=The Military Balance 2023| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| date=15 February 2023| publisher=[[Routledge]]| location=[[London]]| page= 331| isbn=978-1-03-250895-5}}</ref><br> 10,000 reserve<ref name=IISS1 />
| command_structure             = {{Armed forces|Israel}}
| garrison                      = {{nowrap|[[HaKirya]], [[Tel Aviv]], [[Israel]]}}
| garrison_label                = 
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = ''Open Sea, Safe Coasts''
| colors                        = <!-- or | colours = -->
| colors_label                  = <!-- or | colours_label = -->
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| anniversaries                 = 
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| battles                       = [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]]<br />[[War over Water (Jordan River)|War over Water]]<br />[[Six-Day War]]<br />[[War of Attrition]]<br />[[Yom Kippur War]]<br />[[1982 Lebanon War]]<br />[[South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)]]<br />[[Second Intifada]]<br />[[2006 Lebanon War]]<br />[[Blockade of the Gaza Strip]]<br />[[Gaza War (2008–2009)]]<br />[[2014 Gaza War]]<br />[[2021 Israel–Palestine crisis]]<br />[[Gaza war]]<br>[[Spillover of the Gaza war in Syria]]<br>[[2024 Israeli invasion of Lebanon]]
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| battle_honours_label          = 
| flying_hours                  = 
| website                       = <!-- Commanders -->
| current_commander             = [[Aluf]] [[David Saar Salama]]
| current_commander_label       = [[Commander of the Navy (Israel)|Commander of the Navy]]
| commander1                    = 
| commander1_label              = 
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Naval Ensign of Israel.svg|border|150px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Ensign
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Flag of Israel.svg|border|150px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Jack
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Israeli Navy penant.svg|150px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = Pennant
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_attack               = 
| aircraft_bomber               = 
| aircraft_electronic           = 
| aircraft_fighter              = 
| aircraft_helicopter           = 
| aircraft_helicopter_attack    = 
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo     = 
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole = 
| aircraft_helicopter_observation = 
| aircraft_helicopter_transport = 
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer   = 
| aircraft_helicopter_utility   = 
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_patrol               = 
| aircraft_recon                = 
| aircraft_trainer              = 
| aircraft_transport            = 
| aircraft_tanker               = 
| aircraft_general              = 
}}

The '''Israeli Navy''' ({{langx|he|{{Script/Hebrew|חיל הים הישראלי}}}}, ''Ḥeil HaYam HaYisraeli'', {{Literal translation|[The] Israeli Sea Corps}}; {{langx|ar|البحرية الإسرائيلية}}) is the [[Israel Defense Forces#Arms|naval warfare service arm]] of the [[Israel Defense Forces]], operating primarily in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] theater as well as the [[Gulf of Eilat]] and the [[Red Sea]] theater. The current commander-in-chief of the Israeli Navy is [[Aluf|Rear Admiral]] [[David Saar Salama]]. The Israeli Navy is believed to be responsible for maintaining [[Israel]]'s offshore [[second strike|nuclear second strike]] [[Nuclear weapons and Israel|capability]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Deadly arsenals: nuclear, biological, and chemical threats |first1=Joseph |last1=Cirincione |first2=Jon B. |last2=Wolfsthal |first3=Miriam |last3=Rajkumar |publisher=Carnegie Endowment |year=2005 |pages=263–4}}</ref>

== Mission ==
{{See also|IDF Code of Ethics}}
The Israeli Navy is responsible for the construction of the naval force of the IDF and its operational capabilities. Its aim is to secure its superiority at sea, freedom of action, and freedom of navigation in the Israeli maritime space. It also conducts attacks against enemies and more.

Among the Navy's roles are:

# Safeguarding the security of the country and its citizens, including defending 190 km of Israel's coastline against terrorism and infiltrations.
# Ensuring open sea routes for merchant shipping.
# Defending Israel's territorial and economic waters, as well as its strategic assets.
# Naval operations and maritime interdiction.
# Obtaining vital intelligence and engaging in cyber activities.
# Integration with land warfare.

In the Multi-Year Plan (TYESH) for the years 2008-2012, the annual budget for the Navy stood at approximately one billion shekels, excluding the purchase of new naval vessels.<ref>{{Cite news |title=בחיל הים מתלוננים: "תקציב קטן יותר משמעו ירידה ביכולת - זו אינה התייעלות" |work=TheMarker |url=https://www.themarker.com/law/2008-07-03/ty-article/0000017f-f71d-d47e-a37f-ff3d0d670000 |access-date=2023-12-14}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Sarah1.jpg|thumb|right|300px|''Sarah I'', a {{convert|190|ft|1|adj=on}} four-[[Mast (ship)|masted]] [[schooner]] of 750 tons used as a training ship by the Betar Naval Academy.]]

[[File:INSEilat.jpg|thumb|INS ''Eilat'', ex-[[Royal Navy]] {{sclass2|Z|destroyer|1}} sold to Israel in 1955]]
The origins of the Israeli Navy lay in the founding of the [[Betar Naval Academy]], a Jewish naval training school established in [[Civitavecchia]], Italy, in 1934 by the [[Revisionist Zionist]] movement under the direction of [[Ze'ev Jabotinsky]],  The Academy trained cadets from all over Europe, Palestine and South Africa and produced some of the future commanders of the Israeli Navy. In September 1937, the training ship ''Sarah I'' visited Haifa and Tel Aviv as part of a Mediterranean tour.

[[File:HN-INS-Gal-2.jpg|thumb|[[Gal-class submarine|INS ''Gal'']] at the Naval Museum, [[Haifa]]]]
In 1938, encouraged by the [[Jewish Agency]], Shlomo Bardin founded the Marine High School in Bosmat, the [[Technion]]'s Junior Technical College. 1943 witnessed the founding of the [[Palyam]], the naval branch of the [[Palmach]], whose training was undertaken at the maritime school. The Jewish merchant marine was also raised, operating SS ''Tel-Aviv'' and cargo ships such as ''Atid''.

In 1942, eleven hundred [[Haganah]] volunteers joined the [[Royal Navy]], mostly in technical roles (12 of them were officers by the nomination agreement of the Jewish Agency with the Royal Navy). A few reached sea service and combat service. Two of them served with the [[Fleet Air Arm]] (FAA), one of whom was [[Edmond Wilhelm Brillant]] and the other [[Zvi Avidror]]. With the end of the Second World War and the start of the [[Jewish insurgency in Mandatory Palestine]], Palyam members took part in clandestine immigration activities, bringing Europe's Jews to Palestine, as well as commando actions against Royal Navy deportation ships. Royal Navy volunteers, meanwhile, rejoined the Haganah.

During the last months of British Mandate in Palestine, the former Royal Navy volunteers started work on the captured clandestine immigration ships (known as the Fleet of Shadows) in Haifa harbor, salvaged a few and pressed them into service. These were to become the Navy's first ships and saw service in the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]].
[[File:Flot3HonorParade.jpg|thumb|Israeli missile boats on parade, 1971]]
At the outset of the 1948 war and with the founding of the IDF, the Israeli Navy consisted of four former [[Aliyah Bet]] ships impounded in [[Haifa]] harbor. These ships were refurbished by a newly formed naval repair facility with the assistance of two private shipbuilding and repair companies. In October 1948, a [[submarine chaser]] was purchased from the United States. With the founding of the IDF in early 1948, the Israeli Navy was therefore formed from a core of the following personnel:<ref name="AnatKidron">{{cite web|url=http://herzl.haifa.ac.il/navy_heb.htm |title=Anat Kidron MA Thesis, Israeli Navy Year of Foundation |publisher=Haifa University Israel |date=October 2000 |access-date=2 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220000123/http://herzl.haifa.ac.il/navy_heb.htm |archive-date=20 December 2008 }}</ref><ref name=INSEilat>{{cite web|url= http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=no:%22123248675%22 |title= The last Battle of the Destroyer INS Eilat by Commander Yitzhak Shushan |publisher=Ma’ariv Publishing House|year=1993|access-date=2 December 2009}}</ref>
* Royal Navy volunteers with the technical skills and discipline acquired from the Royal Navy, though with no active sea service and experience on Royal Navy ships.
* Palyam members who had led the clandestine and immigration effort, but had no sea background in navigation or leading a ship into a battle. The [[Sea captain|captains]] of clandestine and immigration ships were Italian, while Palyam personnel were commanding the ship under instructions from the Haganah. Ike Aharonowitch, captain of {{SS|Exodus||2}} and a Jew, was the exception rather than the rule.
* Merchant Marine captains and chief engineers, possessing navigation skills but lacking combat skills.
* Jewish volunteers<ref name="MAHAL">{{cite web|url= http://www.mahal-idf-volunteers.org/about/Machal.pdf|title= MACHAL Overseas Volunteers in Israel's War of Independence Page 28|publisher=MOD IDF |year=2007|access-date=2 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102201524/http://www.mahal-idf-volunteers.org/about/Machal.pdf|archive-date=2 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=MAHAL1>{{cite web|url= http://israelvets.com/hist_navy.html|title= A Tiny, but Hard-Hitting Battle Force|publisher=By David Hanovice North American Volunteers in Israel's War of Independence|year=2007|access-date=5 December 2009}}</ref> from the [[United States Navy]] and Royal Navy, such as Commander [[Paul Shulman]]<ref name=Schulman>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/18/obituaries/paul-shulman-72-headed-israeli-navy.html |title= Paul Schulman |work=The New York Times|date=18 May 1994|access-date=2 December 2009}}</ref> of the U.S. Navy, and Commanders Solomon and Allen Burk of the Royal Navy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.machal.org.il/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=520&Itemid=862&lang=he|title=Known Decorations for Bravery Awarded to Machalniks who served in World War II - מח"ל עולמי|author=Nadav Reis|access-date=29 June 2015}}</ref> These, however, were often discriminated against and their experience wasted by a navy command that was based on the Palmach and its various branches. This resulted in odd situations where unskilled officers from the Palyam were in command of far more experienced naval officers.

During the war, the warships served on coastal patrol duties and bombarded Arab targets on land, including Egyptian coastal installations in and around the [[Gaza City|Gaza]] area all the way to [[Port Said]].<ref name="navy">{{Cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/a-history-of-volunteers-in-the-israeli-navy|title=A History of Volunteers in the Israeli Navy|website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org|access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref> The Israeli Navy also engaged the [[Egyptian Navy]] at sea during [[Israeli naval campaign in Operation Yoav|Operation Yoav]], and the Egyptian Navy's [[flagship]], ''[[Egyptian sloop El Amir Farouq|Emir Farouk]]'', was sunk in an operation by Israeli naval commandos.

[[File:Tsqd914.jpg|thumb|Torpedo boats of the Israeli Navy. Built by Chantiers Navals de Meulan, France.]]

Palyam personnel often resisted efforts to instill order, discipline and rank in the newly formed service. Mess rooms were initially shared by both officers and enlisted men. Ships possessed a captain with nautical skills, but also a commanding officer regarded as political. This would cause a great deal of debate between veterans of the Palyam, Royal Navy volunteers from the Haganah and U.S. Navy Machal volunteers about what form the Navy should take.<ref name="AnatKidron" /><ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url= http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=no:%22123248675%22 |title= The last Battle of the Destroyer INS Eilat by Commander Yitzhak Shushan |publisher=Ma'ariv Publishing House|year=1993|access-date=2 December 2009}}</ref><ref name=rnvr>{{cite book|url= http://simania.co.il/bookdetails.php?item_id=23657 |title= Betaltala |author=Commander Shlomo, Ya'akobson a Hagana Veteran of the Royal Navy |publisher=MOD House|year=1997|access-date=5 December 2009}}</ref> Commander Allen Burk is reputed to have said, out of despair, "You cannot make naval officers from cowboys".<ref name="INSEilat"/>

Royal Navy Captain Ashe Lincoln,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dangoor.com/72page24.html |title=Ashe Lincoln |publisher=Dangoor.com |access-date=2017-03-04}}</ref> who was Jewish, advised Prime Minister [[David Ben-Gurion]] to purchase corvettes, [[frigate]]s, [[destroyer]]s, torpedo boats, and patrol boats to build up the Israeli Navy power. To that end, he urged Ben-Gurion to consult with professional navy advisers. This resulted in instructions to contact U.S. Navy advisors, mainly Commander Paul Shulman from the U.S. Navy.

The Israeli Navy suffered from a lack of professional command during its early days.<ref name="AnatKidron" /> Gershon Zak, head of the IDF "Sea Service", was a teacher and bureaucrat without any relevant experience. Having never been recruited into the IDF, Zak was a civilian and had no official rank. The early days of the Israeli Navy were therefore characterized by political infighting, as many groups and individuals jockeyed for power. Palyam politics blocked the nomination of Paul Shulman (a Jewish U.S. Navy officer with a rank of Commander who volunteered for the Israeli Navy) as Navy-Commander in Chief and he resigned in 1949. The first Navy-Commander in Chief awarded the rank of [[Aluf]] was [[Shlomo Shamir]].<ref name="AnatKidron" />

The conclusion of the 1948 war afforded the navy the time to build up its strength. Beginning in the early 1950s the navy purchased frigates, torpedo boats, destroyers, and eventually [[submarine]]s. The material build-up was accompanied by the training of Israeli Navy officers in Royal Navy academies in the UK and Malta, as well as in France.

Three distinct periods characterize the history of the Israeli Navy:
* Foundation and early days
* The destroyers' age
* The missile boats era, beginning in 1965 and bearing fruit during the 1973 [[Yom Kippur War]].<ref name=BoatsofScherbourg>{{cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/boatsofcherbourg00rabi|title= BOATS OF CHERBOURG Abraham Rabinovich|publisher= Bluejacket Books|isbn= 1-55750-714-7|year= 1973|access-date= 3 December 2009|url-access= registration}}</ref><ref name= MissileBoatWar >{{cite web|url= http://www.btinternet.com/~david.Manley/naval/Bulldogs/AIW_Campaign.pdf|title= The Missile Boat War The 1973 Arab-Israeli War at Sea |publisher=By Dave Schueler |year= 2009|access-date=3 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027000950/http://www.btinternet.com/~david.Manley/naval/Bulldogs/AIW_Campaign.pdf|archive-date=27 October 2009}}</ref>

Until 1967 the Naval Headquarters were located at Stella Maris, on the slopes of [[Mount Carmel]], Haifa. After the [[Six-Day War]] it was relocated to the [[HaKirya|Kirya]] in [[Tel Aviv]], next to IDF Headquarters.

=== Yom Kippur War ===
{{Main|Battle of Latakia|Battle of Baltim}}
In the most significant engagement in its history, during the [[Yom Kippur War]] five Israeli Navy missile boats sank five Syrian ships without losses during the [[Battle of Latakia]]. As a result, the [[Syrian Navy]] remained in port for the remainder of the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Battle of Latakia |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/latakia.html |work=[[Jewish Virtual Library]]}}</ref> It was the first naval battle in history between surface-to-surface missile-equipped missile boats.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

Another significant engagement was the [[Battle of Baltim]], during which six Israeli Navy missile boats engaged four [[Egyptian Navy]] missile boats sinking three, again, without losses.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

=== USS ''Liberty'' incident ===
{{Excerpt|USS Liberty incident|paragraphs=1-3}}

=== 2006 Lebanon War ===
The surprise attack on the Israeli navy's flagship [[INS Hanit]] by an onshore Hezbollah battery was a turning point for naval doctrine and operations. Four seamen died when the [[YJ-83]] missile hit the corvette because the vessel's missile defense systems had not been turned on at that time.<ref>Udi Shaham. (22 April 2021). "Israel's Navy ready to attack Hezbollah from the sea like never before
". [https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/israels-navy-ready-to-attack-hezbollah-from-the-sea-like-never-before-666083 Jerusalem Post website] Retrieved 24 April 2021.</ref>

===Syrian Civil War===
In late 2024, after the fall of the government of [[Bashar al-Assad]] in the [[Syrian Civil War]], the Israeli Navy attacked Syrian ships.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ozberk |first=Tayfun |date=10 December 2024 |title=Israeli Navy destroys Syrian Fleet in Latakia |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/12/israeli-navy-destroys-syrian-fleet-in-latakia/|work=[[Naval News]] |location= |publisher= |access-date=12 February 2025}}</ref>

==Bases==
[[File:RAHAV_7208.JPG|thumb|{{INS|Rahav|2013|6}}]]
[[File:Three Sa'ar 5 Class Missile Corvettes Going For a Cruise.jpg|thumb|Sa'ar 5-class missile сorvettes of the Israeli Navy]]
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - The Exemplary IDF Unit of 2011, Shayetet 13.jpg|thumb|Shayetet 13, Naval commandos]]
* [[Haifa naval base|Haifa Naval Base]] – [[Shayetet 3]] ([[Missile boat|Missile Boats]] Flotilla), [[Shayetet 7]] ([[Dolphin-class submarine|Submarine]] Flotilla), Patrol Boats [[Squadron (naval)|Squadron]] 914.
: The emblem of the Haifa naval base is two arrows – one signifying the Missile Boats Flotilla and the other the Submarine Flotilla.
* [[Atlit naval base]] – home to [[Shayetet 13]], the navy's elite commando unit.
* [[Ashdod Naval Base]] – mainly a base for Patrol Boats [[Squadron (naval)|Squadron]] 916.
: The emblem of the Ashdod naval base is two opposing arrows.
* [[Eilat Naval Base]] – Patrol Boats [[Squadron (naval)|Squadron]] 915.
: Eilat naval base was founded in 1951 and has been responsible for the Israeli Navy's Red Sea theater since 1981, when the Red Sea Naval Command Center was withdrawn from [[Sharm el-Sheikh]] in accordance with the Egyptian–Israeli peace treaty.
: The emblem of the Eilat naval base represents the red roofs of Eilat.
* [[BHD 600]] – located in [[Haifa]], contains the submarine operations school, the missile boat operations school and the naval command school. The naval training base also functions as the [[Israeli Naval Academy]].
: The emblem of the Haifa training base is an owl, symbolizing wisdom and hard learning.
* [[MFTAH Unit]] – IT, processing and computing.
:Mftah is a small unit responsible for all Israeli Navy signal and IT systems, both logistic and operational. The soldiers that serve there are mainly programmers and university graduates in engineering, computer science and other technological professions.
* [[Mount Carmel Naval Base]] - logistical base
* [[Naval Shipyards (Israel)|Naval Shipyards]]
* Navy Headquarters – [[HaKirya]], [[Tel Aviv]].

==Forces==
[[File:Structure israel navy.png|thumb|400px|Structure of the Israel Navy]]
=== Patrol squadrons ===
{{main|Shayetet 15}}
[[Shayetet 15#Squadron 914|Squadron 914]], [[Shayetet 15#Squadron 915|Squadron 915]], and [[Shayetet 15#Squadron 916|Squadron 916]], based in Haifa, Eilat, and Ashdod respectively, consist of patrol boats. They are responsible for protecting Israel's shores and territorial waters.

'''Unit's objectives'''
* Constant patrols in the seas of Israel.
* Identification of watercraft entering Israeli waters.
* Preventing smuggling through the sea
* Protecting national assets, such as drilling rigs.
* Various operations carried out alone, or with other units in and outside of the navy.
* Various other objectives that differ between the squadrons.

===3rd Flotilla===
{{main|Shayetet 3}}
The '''[[Shayetet 3|missile boat flotilla (Shayetet 3)]]''' is based at [[Haifa naval base]]. It consists of the 31st and 32nd missile boat squadrons and the 33rd and 36th corvette squadrons.

'''Unit's objectives'''
* Protecting Israeli commerce at sea from foreign fleets.
* Preventing a possible naval blockade of Israeli ports during wartime.
* Blockading enemy ports at wartime.
* Fire support for ground units.

===7th Flotilla===
{{Main|Shayetet 7}}
The '''[[Shayetet 7|submarine flotilla (Shayetet 7)]]''', a volunteer unit founded in 1959.

'''Unit's objectives'''
* Attacking enemy vessels.
* Covert intelligence gathering.
* Deployment and recovery of Shayetet 13 naval commandos.
* Acting as a support unit for other units.
* Believed to be part of [[Israel and weapons of mass destruction |the country's nuclear weapons capability.]]<ref name= "janes1">{{cite web|url= http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jdw/jdw091001_1_n.shtml |title= Israel seeks sixth Dolphin in light of Iranian 'threat' |publisher=Jane’s |date=1 October 2009 |access-date= 1 June 2010}}</ref>

For security reasons, applicants with [[Multiple citizenship |dual citizenship]] must now officially [[Renunciation of citizenship |renounce all other citizenships]] to be accepted into the submarine service training program.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4187233,00.html |title= IDF submarine fleet bans dual citizenship |work= Y net |date= 8 February 2012 |access-date=29 June 2015|last1= Zitun |first1= Yoav }}</ref>

===11th Flotilla===
{{Main|Shayetet 11}}
In May 2022 it was announced that the Navy decided to re-establish '''[[Shayetet 11]]''', following this the IDF purchased two LSV vessels which are to be used by the Israeli Navy to conduct amphibious landings as well as to transport supplies.<ref name=newflotilla>{{cite web|url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/defense/article/11172253|author=Lilach Shovel|title=חיזוק דרמטי ליכולת הצבאית מהים: ישראל רכשה שתי ספינות תקיפה אמפיביות מארה"ב|website=Israel Hayom|date=23 May 2022|language=he}}</ref>

===13th Flotilla===
[[Shayetet 13]], or Flotilla 13, is an elite naval commando unit which specializes in sea-to-land incursions, [[counter-terrorism]], sabotage operations, maritime intelligence gathering, maritime hostage rescue, and [[boarding (attack)|boarding]]. It is among the most highly trained and secretive units in the Israeli military.
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Underwater Missions Unit Transfers Equipment Using Special "Lifting-Bags".jpg|thumb|Yaltam divers in training]]

===YILTAM 707===
{{Main|YILTAM}}
[[YILTAM]] is the [[Marine salvage|Salvage]] and underwater works unit of the Israel navy. Formed as the damage control branch of the Navy Shipyards, the unit later incorporated experienced Flotilla-13 divers.

=== Snapir ===
Force protection and harbour security unit. Also, in charge of diving checkups of civilian ships entering Israeli harbours.

===Intelligence===
The [[Naval Intelligence Division (Israel)|Naval Intelligence Division]] is responsible for naval [[intelligence (information gathering)|intelligence]] gathering.

==Current fleet==
{{Main|List of ships of the Israeli Navy}}

"INS" stands for "Israeli Navy Ship".<ref>{{cite web|title=Ship Naming in the United States Navy|url=http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navy/l/blshipname.htm|website=About.com|access-date=21 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821185139/http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navy/l/blshipname.htm|archive-date=21 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Missile corvettes ===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
! width="110" |Class
!Photo
!Ships
!Commission year
!Origin
!Notes
|-
|{{sclass2|Sa'ar 5|corvette|5}} {{IPA|he|ˈsa'ar|}} (Tempest)
|[[File:INS Lahav.jpg|250x250px]]
| 
{{INS|Eilat|501|6}}, {{IPA|he|ejˈlat|}} ([[Eilat]])<br />
{{INS|Lahav}} {{IPA|he|ˈlahav|}} (Blade)<br />
{{INS|Hanit}} {{IPA|he|χaˈnit|}} (Spear)
|
1994<br />1994<br />1995
|{{USA}}
| ''Eilat'' and ''Hanit'' updated with [https://www.iai.co.il/p/elm-2258-alpha ALPHA] radars; ''Lahav'' updated with the [[EL/M-2248 MF-STAR]] radar.
|-
|{{sclass2|Sa'ar 6|corvette|5}}
|[[File:INS Atzmaut (Saar 6), August 2021.jpg|250x250px]]
|
[[INS Magen]] {{IPA|he|maˈgen|}} (Shield)<br>
[[INS Oz]] (Courage)<br>
[[INS Atzmaut]] (Independence)<br>
[[INS Nitzachon]] (Victory)
|
2020<br />2021<br />2023<br />2023
|{{GER}}
|
|}

===Missile boats===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
! width="110" |Class
!Photo
!Ships
!Commission year
!Origin
!Notes
|-
|{{sclass2|Sa'ar 4.5|missile boat|5}}
|[[File:סער 4.5.JPG|250x250px]]
|[[INS Romach (1981)|INS ''Romach'']], {{IPA|he|ˈʁo̞maχ|}} (Lance)

[[INS Keshet (1982)|INS ''Keshet'']], {{IPA|he|ˈke̞ʃe̞t|}} (Bow)

INS ''Hetz'', {{IPA|he|ˈχe̞t͡s|}} (Arrow)

[[INS Kidon|INS ''Kidon'']], {{IPA|he|kiˈdo̞n|}} ([[Javelin]])

[[INS Tarshish|INS ''Tarshish'']], {{IPA|he|tarˈʃiʃ|}} ([[Tarshish]])

[[INS Yaffo (1998)|INS ''Yaffo'']], {{IPA|he|ˈjafo̞|}} ([[Jaffa]])

[[INS Herev|INS ''Herev'']], {{IPA|he|ˈχe̞ʁe̞v|}} (Sword)

[[INS Sufa (2003)|INS ''Sufa'']] {{IPA|he|suˈfa|}} (Storm)
|1981
1982

1991

1995

1995

1998

2002

2003
|{{ISR}}
|
* INS ''Kidon'' was originally a Sa'ar 4 built in 1974 and converted to Saar 4.5 class in 1994
* INS ''Tarshish'' was originally a Sa'ar 4 built in 1975 and converted to Saar 4.5 class in 1998
* INS ''Yaffo'' was originally a Sa'ar 4 built in 1975 and converted to Saar 4.5 class in 1998
* The Sa'ar 4.5 boats are expected to be replaced with the 76m-long ''Reshef'' class corvette starting in the late 2020s

|}

===Submarines===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
! width="110" |Class
!Photo
!Boats
!Commission year
!Origin
!Notes

|-
|{{sclass|Dolphin|submarine|4}}
|[[File:I.n.s. dolfin-03.JPG|250x250px]]
|INS ''Dolphin'', {{IPA|he|do̞lˈfin|}} (Dolphin)

INS ''Livyathan'', {{IPA|he|livjaˈtan|}} (Whale)

INS ''Tekumah'', {{IPA|he|tkuˈma|}} (Revival)
|1999
1999

2000
|{{GER}}
|
Expected to be replaced with the [[Dakar-class submarine]]s starting in the early 2030s
|-
|[[Dolphin-class submarine#Additional procurement|AIP ''Dolphin'' 2 class]]
|[[File:INS Tanin (1).jpg|250x250px]]
|{{INS|Tanin|2012|6}}, {{IPA|he|taˈnin|}} (Crocodile)

{{INS|Rahav|2013|6}}, {{IPA|he|ˈʁahav|}} ([[Rahab (Egypt)#Jewish folklore|Rahab]])


[[INS Drakon]], {{IPA|he|dʁaˈko̞n|}} (Dragon)
|2012
2014

''2025 (est).''
|{{GER}}
| The third boat, INS ''Drakon'', was formally named at an IDF ceremony in Kiel, Germany on 11/12/2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Naval News |date=November 13, 2024 |title=German Shipbuilder TKMS Hits Two Milestones with Israel's Submarine Programs |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/11/german-shipbuilder-tkms-hits-two-milestones-with-israels-submarine-programs/ |website=Naval News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yonah |first=Jeremy Robert |date=November 12, 2024 |title=Israel moves forward on sixth submarine from Germany |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-828836 |website=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref>
|}

===Patrol boats===
{| class="wikitable" "width:100%;"
!Class
!Photo
!Number of ships
!Commissioned
!Origin
!Notes
|-
|{{sclass2|Dvora|fast patrol boat|5}}, {{IPA|he|dvo̞ˈʁa|}} (Bee)
|[[File:Hai Ou Class missile boat.jpg|250x250px]]
|9
|1988
|{{ISR}}
|
|-
|{{sclass2|Super Dvora Mk II|patrol boat|5}}, {{IPA|he|suˈpe̞ʁ dvo̞ˈʁa|}}
|[[File:HPL-21 Ankaran.jpg|250x250px]]
|2
|1996
|{{ISR}}
|
|-
|{{sclass2|Super Dvora Mk III|patrol boat|5}}
|[[File:כלי בט"ש.jpg|250x250px]]
|13
|2004
|{{ISR}}
|
|-
|{{sclass|Shaldag|fast patrol boat|5}}, {{IPA|he|ʃalˈdaɡ|}} ([[Kingfisher]])
|[[File:ShaldagMk3.jpg|250x250px]]
|5
|1989
|{{ISR}}
|
|-
|{{sclass2|Defender|boat|5}}
|[[File:18HarbourDefenseBtEilat.jpg|250x250px]]
|9
|2002
|{{ISR}}
|
|-
|[[Protector USV|Rafael Protector USV]]
|[[File:Conning tower of the Protector USV.jpg|250x250px]]
|N/A
|2000s
|{{ISR}}
|Unmanned Naval Patrol Vehicles
|-
|[[Silver Marlin]]
|
|N/A
| 2006?
|{{ISR}}
|USV Naval Patrol Vehicles
|}

===Support ships===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Class
!Photo
!Boat(s)
!Commissioned
!Origin
!Notes
|-
|[[Stollergrund-class multi-purpose ship|Stollergrund]]
|[[File:BREITGRUND 0448.jpg|200px]]
|INS ''Bat Yam''
|1989 German Navy; transferred to the Israeli Navy in 2004.
|{{GER}}
|Sister ship ''Bat Galim'' transferred to oceanographic research.
|-
|[[General Frank S. Besson-class support vessel|General Frank S. Besson]]
|[[File:LSV-7 SSGT Robert T Kuroda.jpg|200px]]
|INS ''Nahshon''
INS ''Komemiyut''
|2023
2024
|{{USA}}
|Built by [[Ingalls Shipbuilding]] to Israeli requirements. Expected to serve in a [https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2024/06/idf-increases-naval-strength-with-new-logistics-support-vessel.php troop landing and logistics support] role.
|}

===Commando boats===
* Dolphin type underwater craft
* [[human torpedo|Hazir (the Italian Maiale)]] {{IPA|he|χaˈziʁ|}} (pig) underwater craft
* Snunit {{IPA|he|sno̞ˈnit|}} ([[Swallow]]) boats
* Zaharon {{IPA|he|zahaˈʁo̞n|}} ([[Lionfish]]) boats
* Mulit {{IPA|he|muˈlit|}} ([[Mullus]]) boats
* Morena rigid-hulled inflatable boats

=== Aircraft ===
[[File:IAF-AS-565.jpg|thumb|Israeli AS565MA Atalef, 2007]]
Aircraft operated by the Israeli Navy, even when including on-board Navy mission specialists, are flown and maintained by [[Israeli Air Force]] personnel and are part of the air force command structure.
* [[193 Squadron (Israel)|193 Squadron]] – [[Eurocopter AS565 Panther]] – 7<ref name="IISS">{{Citation | title = The Military Balance 2017 | page = 384 | publisher = [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] | date = 14 February 2017}}.</ref>

====Unmanned aerial vehicles====
* [[Aeronautics Defense Orbiter]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART2/152/487.html|title=חדשות - צבא וביטחון nrg - ...נושאת מזל"טים: חיל הים כובש|access-date=29 June 2015}}</ref>
* The navy has an unmanned helicopter (manufactured by [[Aeronautics Defense Systems]]) on Sa'ar 5-class corvettes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/he|title=דף בית &#124; Israel Defense|website=www.israeldefense.co.il|access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref>

=== Equipment ===
[[File:Gabrielout.jpg|thumb|Israel Aerospace Industries Gabriel missile]]
* [[Barak 1]] – Point-defence [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]]
* [[Barak 8]] – Long range SAM and anti-missile defence system
* [[Gabriel missile|Gabriel]] – [[Surface-to-surface missile|sea-to-sea missile]] 
* [[Boeing Harpoon|Harpoon]] – anti-ship missile
* [[Popeye (missile)|Popeye]] (AGM-142 Have Nap) – [[Air-launched cruise missile|air]]/[[submarine-launched cruise missile]]. Dolphin-class submarines believed to carry Popeye Turbo with a range >1500&nbsp;km and the option for nuclear warheads.
* [[Typhoon Weapon Station]] – remote-operated 25mm gun system
* NAVLAR Artillery Rocket System
* {{ill|EL/M-2221|ru}} STGR – Search, Track & Guidance/Gunnery Radar
* [[EL/M-2228S]] AMDR – Automatic Missile Detection Radar
* [[EL/M-2228X]] SGRS – Surveillance & Gunnery Radar System
* [[EL/M-2238 STAR]] – Surveillance & Threat Alert Radar
* [[EL/M-2226]] ACSR – Advanced Coastal Surveillance Radar

==Future==
Currently{{as of when|date=November 2025}} under construction is a sixth Dolphin 2 submarine (INS ''Drakon''). Israel has signed an MoU with Germany for the construction of three [[Dakar-class submarine]]s with expected delivery in the late 2020s, which will replace its three Dolphin 1 submarines delivered in the late 1990s.{{cn|date=November 2025}}

In August 2021, [[Israel Shipyards]] announced that the Israeli Navy has signed an agreement with it for the design and supply of a new class of missile boats based on Israel Shipyards' [[Sa'ar 72-class corvette]] that would replace its Sa'ar 4.5 ships starting in the mid-2020s. Israel Shipyards would construct a large [[dry dock]] which would enable it to outfit these new corvettes with various Israeli-made systems, as well as to service and maintain the corvettes in addition to Dolphin submarines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://defense-update.com/20191120_reshef_class.html|title=Israeli-Designed Mini Corvettes to Replace Eight Hetz Missile Boats|first=Tamir|last=Eshel|date=20 November 2019}}</ref> 

In an October 2021 interview, the head of the Israeli Navys` Naval Vessels Department said that these new ''"Reshef"''-class corvettes would be equipped with [[Rafael Advanced Defense Systems]]'s [[Iron Dome#C-Dome|C-Dome]] air-defence system.
He said that their design was expected to be complete in about two years, and the first ship would likely take another two to four years to construct. Eight are to be built, with each replacing a Sa'ar 4.5 upon being commissioned.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Israeli Navy's Reshef class to carry C-Dome air-defence system|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/israeli-navys-reshef-class-to-carry-c-dome-air-defence-system|author=Yaakov Lappin|author2=Jeremy Binnie|date=2021-10-28|access-date=2021-10-28|website=[[Jane's Information Group]]|language=en}}</ref>

==Ranks==
{{Main|Israel Defense Forces ranks}}
The Israeli Navy is small compared to other Navies and the officers [[command hierarchy|chain of command]] is as follows with respect to [https://web.archive.org/web/20091127052215/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/training-and-people/rn-life/uniforms-and-badges-of-rank/ Royal – Navy] / [[United States Navy officer rank insignia|United States]]:<ref name=Ranks>{{cite web |url=http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/about/insignia/ranks.htm |title=IDF Ranks |publisher=IDF Spoke Man |year=2009 |access-date=3 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830070254/http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/about/insignia/ranks.htm |archive-date=30 August 2009}}</ref>

;Officers
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:100%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Israel}}
|}

;Enlisted
{| style="border:1px solid #8888a; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:100%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Israel}}
|}

Sleeve rank of Israeli Navy Commander-in-Chief is a rank of honor. This began as special permission from Lt. General [[Amnon Lipkin-Shahak]] (then [[chief of staff of the IDF]]) and allows the Navy Commander-in-Chief to have a sleeve rank of Vice Admiral which is equal to Lt. General, the rank of the IDF Chief of Staff. However the ''de facto'' rank of Israeli Navy Commander-in-Chief is Rear Admiral and the gesture given to the navy is ceremonial only when meeting foreign commanding officers.

The same resolution as mentioned above applies to the rank of Commodore.  There is ceremonial-only sleeve rank of Rear–Admiral while by the IDF hierarchy and chain of command he remains a commodore.

==List of commanders==
{{Main|Commander of the Navy (Israel)}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Israel}}
* [[Cherbourg Project]]
* {{INS|Dakar}}
* [[Military equipment of Israel]]
* [[Betar Naval Academy]]
* [[Israel Defense Forces ranks]]
* [[List of flags of Israel]]
* [[Israeli Naval Academy]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
* {{cite report |first1=William D. |last1=Gerhard |first2=Henry W. |last2=Millington |title=Attack on a SIGINT Collector, the USS ''Liberty'' |year=1981 |work=NSA History Report, U.S. Cryptologic History series |publisher=National Security Agency |url=http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/uss_liberty/attack_sigint.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030155345/http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/uss_liberty/attack_sigint.pdf}} partially declassified 1999, 2003.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.navy.idf.il Sea Corps] – official website {{in lang|he}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081120060551/http://israelvets.com/hist_navy.html History of the Navy] North American Volunteers in Israel's War of Independence (archived)
* [http://www.submarines.dotan.net Israeli submarines]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/mideast/israel.htm#1 World Navies Today: Israel]

{{Israel Defense Forces}}
{{Commanders of the Israeli Sea Corps}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Israeli Navy}}
[[Category:Israeli Navy| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1948]]
[[Category:1948 establishments in Israel]]