Last Israel corvette has left Kiel

INS Nitzachon leaving the Holtenau lock In the background minesweeper PEGNITZ

The fourth and last SAAR 6-class corvette of the Israeli Navy has left its berth at the German Naval Yards Kiel (GNYK). It moved through the Kiel Canal (NOK) in the direction of Haifa. The 92 metre long and 2,000 tonne displacement unit is expected to arrive there in around two weeks. As is usual with the three sister units, the relocation of the INS Nitzachon was secured by a large contingent of state and federal police forces on land, on the water and in the air. In addition to the Israeli naval security forces on board, civilian Israeli special forces were also deployed.

With the delivery of the INS Nitzachon the procurement programme for the SAAR 6 corvettes at general contractor TKMS and subcontractor GNYK in Kiel comes to an end.

Text and photos : Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service