EuroNaval: Presentation of the Israeli Sa'ar S-80

The model of the Sa'ar S-80 presented by Israel Shipyards Ltd at EuroNaval 2022. photo: hum

Update in the S-80 section as a replacement for the Israeli Navy, clarification in the description and photo of the model on display.

Israel Shipyards used the EuroNaval in Paris to present its new development on 19 October 2022: a corvette with the designation Sa'ar S-80.

The 80 metre long, 11 metre wide and 1,000 tonne displacement unit is powered by four diesel engines via two shafts and has controllable pitch propellers. It should be able to reach a top speed of more than 28 knots. The superstructures on the steel hull are designed according to stealth principles and are made of aluminium. The S-80 is expected to achieve a range of 3,500 nautical miles (at an advance speed of 12 knots). Israel Shipyards has stated that it will have a service life of more than 22 days and a crew of 53. Accommodation is to be provided for a further 20 people.

Artist impression of the SA'AR S-80. graphic: Israel Shipyards Ltd

The new development is based on the concept of the Sa'ar S-72 - which in turn was modelled on the Sa'ar 4.5 class.

The new development presented at Le Bourget is a version that the Israeli shipbuilder intends to market as a corvette or as an OPV, depending on the operational requirements. Weapon and electronic systems can be configured accordingly and are based on the customer's wishes. The model of the export version used in the presentation shows the S-80 with a 76mm turret on the forecastle, aft of which are VLS containers with ship-to-air missiles. On the middle deck two chaff launchers and two automated guns of smaller calibre (20-40mm). No helicopter hangar. Two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB) can be accommodated on the aft deck. The landing deck is capable of accommodating a helicopter weighing up to eight tonnes. The export version can also be configured with a 123mm turret and helicopter hangar. The installation of a containerised towed sonar system (VDS) is possible, as is the configuration of the aft deckhouse with hangar.

Artist impression of the SA'AR S-80. graphic: Israel Shipyards Ltd

S-80 as a replacement for the Israeli navy

In the Israeli navy, the Sa'ar S-80 is to replace the eight units of the Sa'ar 4.5 class as the Reshef class. After the order was recently placed, it was learnt in discussions with representatives of the shipyard in Le Bourget that the steel section of the first ship has already been cut. The construction time should be 30 months. This means that the first unit should be delivered as early as 2025 - 'with everything'. A further Reshef-class unit is expected to be delivered every eight months. The turnaround would therefore be completed in 2030/31. Naturally, no statements could be made about the future of the Sa'ar 4.5 class.

Artist impression of the SA'AR S-80. graphic: Israel Shipyards Ltd

The configuration of the Reshef class can only be speculated about at present. The original intention to adopt the design of the S-72 from Israel Shipyards was probably modified in favour of more powerful armament. In the Reshef class, the rigid-hull inflatable boats may be replaced by launchers for ship-to-ship missiles. The missile systems as well as the electronic equipment, including an electro-optical laser fire control system, will be of Israeli manufacture. A 76mm turret from Leonardo (SuperRapido) can be assumed. In addition, remote-controlled 30mm guns will probably also be installed. As a requirement of the Israeli navy, the design of the machine system will be optimised for speeds in excess of 30 knots.