Missile Gabriel / Shiung Feng

Development of the missile system originated from a program initiated in 1958. The loss of a destroyer to missile fire in 1967 led to the prioritization of an anti-ship weapon capable of autonomous guidance. The system entered service in 1970 and was the first operational sea-skimming missile.

The missile family is designed for sea-skimming flight at low altitudes to complicate detection and intercept. Early variants utilized semi-active radar guidance, requiring shipboard radar support, while subsequent models transitioned to active radar seekers for fire-and-forget operations. Recent iterations incorporate a turbojet engine for sustained flight, along with inertial navigation, GPS, and two-way data links for mid-course updates or retargeting. Advanced versions feature multi-spectral seekers for operation in cluttered littoral environments and terrain-following capabilities for land-attack missions. The seeker, guidance section, and warhead are housed in hardened casings to increase survivability against close-in weapon systems and air defense artillery. Launch platforms include surface combatants and mobile truck-mounted launchers.

The missile system is widely deployed internationally and has been exported to navies in Europe, South America, and Asia. It saw extensive combat use during the Yom Kippur War, notably at the Battle of Latakia and the Battle of Baltim. During these engagements, the missile was used to sink Syrian and Egyptian naval vessels, including missile boats, torpedo boats, and trawlers. In the course of these operations, neutral merchant ships were also struck. The missile served as the basis for the Taiwanese Hsiung Feng I and was produced under license in South Africa as the Skerpioen. Current operators include the navies of Israel, Finland, Estonia, Singapore, Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Eritrea, Kenya, Mexico, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Historical operators include South Africa and Taiwan.