Hetz/Nirit Sa'ar 4.5
The first Hetz/Nirit class Sa'ar 4.5 missile craft was commissioned as the INS Hetz in 1991. By 2002, five additional Hetz class missile craft had been commissioned, including the INS Kidon, the INS Yaffo, the INS Tarshish, the INS Herev, and the INS Sufa.
Weapon Systems
The Hetz class missile craft is equipped with three types of missile systems: Barak, Harpoon, and Gabriel II. The Barak missile system was developed by Israeli Air Industries and Rafael, and has both anti-air and anti-surface capability. The Barak missile is vertically launched from two cells in the ship's bow and has a maximum range of 10 km.
The Harpoon missile system was developed by Boeing and serves as a long range surface to surface weapon. The Hetz class missile craft is equipped with two Harpoon missile batteries, each containing four launchers. The Harpoon has a maximum range of 130 km. The Gabriel II missile system is a short to medium range anti-ship weapon developed by Israeli Air Industries. The Gabriel II has a maximum range of 36 km and Hetz class ships carry six Gabriel II launchers. The Hetz class ship can be equipped with either an OTO Melara 3 76 mm main gun, or a Vulcan Phalanx Mk 15 25 mm CIWS weapon system.
