Posted on 02/08/2008 9:20:44 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Israel Navy bids for advanced ship
By YAAKOV KATZ
Looking to upgrade its sea-based capabilities, the Israel Navy has submitted a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the United States Navy for a new missile ship currently under development by Lockheed Martin Corp. The Defense Ministry said that the navy expects to receive a reply by April.
Designed for speed, maneuverability and amphibious operations, the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) was built by Lockheed Martin, according to US Naval specifications as a "Brown Water" ship. It is intended to operate in shallow waters along coasts and in depths that face threats from both land and sea.
The Israel Navy submitted the RFP - basically, a request for the ship's official price - to the US Navy several weeks ago. It had previously ordered a $5 million feasibility study from Lockheed Martin to examine whether the ship could meet Israeli needs and be integrated with Israeli-manufactured technological defense systems.
According to defense sources, the LCS, if acquired by the navy, would enhance Israel's long-arm capabilities and could be potentially used in a conflict with Iran. The ship, capable of carrying special forces and larger infantry units, can also carry midsize vehicles as well as two helicopters. It would also be installed with the Barak anti-missile defense system and would be able to intercept incoming missiles.
While the navy has filed the RFP, defense officials said it was still not certain whether Israel would purchase the LCS from Lockheed Martin. As part of its multi-year plan finalized in September, the IDF decided to purchase two new ships, but did not state from which company.
To expect an answer to that anytime soon would be the height of optimism
Brochure on the LCS-I
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/files/LCS_Lockheed_Israel_Variant_Brochure.pdf
America needs Frigates. We have just a handful of OHP’s left! and they are just the thing for hostile shallow environments.
The Israelis need fast attack boats so it can effectively prevent smuggling by sea into Gaza, and for sea-based attacks against Hezbullah in Lebanon. I don’t imagine they would use these against Iran - they’d have to sail all the way around hostile waters, and through the American 5th fleet, to get there.
2. Israel has no serious anti-sub capabilities in its current ships.
3. It could be modified to carry the SM-3 or Sm-2 Block IV anti-ballistic missiles.
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