German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems officially handed over the second of four SA’AR 6-class corvettes to the Israeli Navy.
The SA’AR 6-class corvettes will form the backbone of the Israeli Navy for the next 30 years. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems is building the ships in a joint venture with German Naval Yards Kiel.
The contract for the delivery of four SA’AR 6-corvettes was signed in May 2015. After the design phase, the construction phase began with the type ship’s first cut ceremony in February 2018. Only 15 months after the first steel was cut, the ship was undocked. In May 2019, the “INS Magen” received its name in Kiel and was handed over in November 2020. The following two units of the series are also scheduled for delivery in 2021.
The Israeli Navy is itself equipping the corvettes with radar and weapon systems.
The Sa’ar 6 design is based on the German-made MEKO 100 patrol corvette, able to conduct a wide range of missions.