The Israeli Navy achieved a leap in its maritime capabilities as the INS Nahshon landing craft, a combat vessel, was delivered and proudly raised the Israeli flag at the US Pascagoula Shipyard.
Commanding Officer RDML oversees the ceremony. Tal Politis and senior officials from the Ministry of Defense herald the advent of a strategic force multiplier that will serve as a vital logistical axis and forge enhanced inter-unit collaboration on the modern and multi-arena battlefield. This marks the first of two platforms to be integrated into the Israeli Navy's fleet.
The INS Nahshon landing craft, a vessel measuring approximately 95 meters in length and 20 meters in width, with a displacement exceeding 2,500 tons, is a welcome addition to the Israeli Navy's arsenal. Manned by a team of naval combat soldiers, a quarter of whom are female, the craft is commanded by a Lieutenant Commander.
Designed as a versatile combat vessel, the INS Nahshon landing craft holds importance in reshaping the Israeli Navy for modern, multi-arena battlefields.
As a logistical hub for equipment and personnel transportation across near and distant regions, these crafts foster enhanced coordination among various Israeli Navy units, the Technological and Logistics Directorate, and other branches of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
This collaborative approach strengthens joint operational activities, facilitating multi-branch combat efforts in routine and contingency situations.
The construction initiative for the INS Nahshon landing craft, a joint endeavour between the IDF and the Ministry of Defense, commenced approximately four years ago. This project came to fruition through the procurement delegation's acquisition with Foreign Military Financing support from the US government.
The recent delivery and flag-raising ceremony signifies a milestone in the operational integration, culminating in INS Nahshon's journey from the US Shipyard to its home port in Israel.
The final phase of preparations for the INS Nahshon landing craft includes crew training and operational certification tests. In a few months, the vessel will embark on its voyage to Israel, where it will be declared operational in 2024.
Reflecting on this moment, Vice Admiral David Saar Salama, Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy, addressed the INS Nahshon's pioneering team, stating, "You are the pioneers of the way, the first to jump into the water and carve a new path in the heart of the seas."
As the INS Nahshon sets sail towards its operational declaration, it marks a collaboration between the Israeli Navy, the Ministry of Defense, and the United States, solidifying the nation's commitment to maintaining a robust and adaptable defence force on the global stage.
