Page 55 - NAVAL FORCES 03/2017

Regional Focus Middle East

Interoperability-driven sea superiority is critical,
as the Israeli Navy is connected both to the air force,
serving as a floating part of its integrated air defence system,
and the land forces.
(All Photos: IDF)

Nick Braveman

The Israeli Navy:

Persistent Command of the Sea Domain

The Israeli Navy is not designated The role of the Israeli Navy is to protect and other equipment helps Israel to deter and
as a separate service, but is offi­ Israel’s coastline and territorial waters and to defend against Weapons of Mass Destruction
cially known as the Sea Corps of intercept any hostile seaborne guerrilla groups (WMD), ballistic missiles, and heavy rockets.
Israel and operates primarily in the trying to infiltrate Israel from the sea. To this Faced with new threats from the sea, Israel
Mediterranean theatre as well as the end, the navy carries out regular patrols both has rethought its naval capabilities, adopting
in territorial waters and also up to more than
a new mental image of itself as a nation with
Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea, as 100km from shore. NAVAL FORCES looks at responsibilities to secure its interests abroad,
these are growing in political, eco­ this small but very capable service. especially the gas fields and strategic sea lanes
nomic and security significance. The Mediterranean gives Israel strategic nearby.
depth and a greater area from whence to oper­ Nick Braveman
ate militarily than is afforded by Israel’s land­ is a Tel-Aviv-based defence journalist and a
mass, i.e. using the sea for ships, submarines, regular contributor to Mönch’s magazines.