Israel Aerospace Industries has completed the first phase of installing the MF-STAR (Magen Adir) radar on the new Sa’ar 6 corvette warships that will guard Israel’s gas platforms and territorial waters.

The installation was carried out by the IAI, in collaboration with the Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructures (part of IMoD) and the Israeli Navy.

One of the most advanced radar systems in the world, the MF-STAR Active Scanning Array Radar (AESA) is capable of tracking aerial and surface targets and will help create an advanced and detailed maritime image of the area of surveillance.

The MF-STAR radar includes four fixed radar panels that provide 360 ​​degree hemispherical coverage around the vessel.

The radar systems are based on advanced technology, including an Active Electronic Scanning Network (AESA) developed by ELTA Systems Ltd of IAI. They reduce target acquisition response time and offer advanced capability to accurately and simultaneously track a wide range of targets.

Once the target has been identified, the radar immediately provides all the data necessary for each control, defense and support system on the bridge (e.g. anti-aircraft missile fire), and enables decision-makers to respond to the threat by real time.

Radars are an integral part of the defense of air, space and territorial waters, including Israel’s strategic assets: natural gas platforms, defense against rockets, enemy aircraft and more again.

The radar system is also an important part of the Barak MX (Ra’am Adir) air defense system and provides a layer of defense against advanced air and naval threats. The Barak system will also be integrated by the IAI, the Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructures and the Israeli Navy on the new ships.

“Deploying the world’s most advanced radar system of its kind, based on decades of ELTA radar production know-how, is the cornerstone of a wide range of systems capable of acting as a multiplier. of force for the navy, for the Israeli army and for the State of Israel, ”he added.

Built by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in Kiel, Germany, Israel is expected to receive the four Sa’ar 6 ships by the end of 2021. Two of the ships, INS Magen and INS Oz have already docked in the port of Haifa where they are in the process of being equipped. with most of its weapons and radar systems.

The 90-meter-long, 2,000-ton ships have a top speed of 24 knots with a range of 2,500 nautical miles. While not much longer than the Sa’ar 5, they were built to handle rough seas better and stay at sea longer.

They will be covered by nearly 300 static radar arrays capable of detecting incoming air threats which can then be shot down by the two Iron Dome missile interceptors (Naval Dome) for rockets or by two Barak-8 batteries to shoot down the cruise. and ballistic missiles.

In addition to the interception missile defense systems, the ships will also have 16 anti-ship missiles, a 76mm Oto Melara Super Rapid main gun, two 25mm Typhoon ranged weapon stations and two launchers. 324 mm torpedoes for MK54 light torpedoes. Each state-of-the-art ship will also be equipped with cyber and electronic warfare systems.

Should a war break out, at least two Saar 6 ships would be deployed to protect Israel’s exclusive economic zone and gas platforms while the rest of the fleet would aid the ground forces by bombarding enemy troops and weapon systems. which could target both the home front and gas platforms while simultaneously destroying all air targets fired at maritime assets and warships.