Hetz-class

The Hetz class, originally designated as the Nirit subclass of the Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boats, is a series of vessels built by Israel Shipyards Ltd. for the Israeli Navy. Derived as an improved and lengthened version of the Sa'ar 4-class, the initial development plan for the Hetz class included INS Romach (commissioned in 1981), INS Keshet (commissioned in 1982), and INS Nirit. The keel of INS Nirit was laid in 1984, but construction was suspended due to a lack of funds. The vessel was eventually completed, launched in 1990, and commissioned in 1991 as INS Hetz. Following this, INS Romach and INS Keshet were upgraded to match the specifications of INS Hetz. Three additional hulls were completed between 1997 and 1998: INS Kidon, INS Tarshish, and INS Yaffo. These three vessels integrated older weapon systems salvaged from decommissioned Sa'ar 4-class boats of the same names. The final two upgraded vessels, INS Herev and INS Sufa, were commissioned in 2002 and 2003, bringing the total number of active boats to eight.

Design characteristics of the Hetz class differ from the sister Aliya subclass by lacking helicopter facilities, which allows for additional weapon systems. The hull of the Hetz class is four meters longer than the preceding Sa'ar 4-class to accommodate its upgraded systems. Propulsion is supplied by four MTU 16V956 TB91 V16 diesel engines. Electronics and sensor systems on the Hetz class include an EL/M-2258 ALPHA active electronically scanned array multifunction radar, an Elta EL/M-2221 fire-control radar, and dedicated sonar. Electronic warfare capabilities comprise Elbit chaff rocket launchers and an Elisra NS-9003A/9005 radar warning receiver. For armament, the missile boats can carry eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, up to six Gabriel anti-ship missiles, or up to 32 Barak 1 surface-to-air missiles. Gun systems consist of either an Otobreda 76 mm or a Typhoon 25 mm naval gun, two Oerlikon 20 mm cannons, a Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), and up to eight M2 Browning machine guns.

Eight Hetz-class vessels remain in active service with the Israeli Navy. In addition, the Hellenic Coast Guard of Greece operates three offshore patrol vessels based on the Hetz class design. These Greek units are configured with a single 30 mm gun and a deck-mounted crane in place of the standard missile armament. The Israeli Navy plans to replace the Hetz class beginning in the mid-2020s with Reshef-class corvettes based on the Sa'ar S-72 design, which will carry C-Dome defensive systems.