Sa'ar 72-class corvette
{{Short description|Israeli Navy ship class}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| sclass = 2 }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Sa'ar 72 class | Builders = Israel Shipyards Ltd. | Operators = | Class before = Sa'ar 5-class corvette | Class after = | Subclasses = | Cost = | Built range = | In service range = | In commission range = | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = 5 | Total ships completed = 0 | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = Corvette | Ship displacement = 800 tonnes | Ship length = {{convert|72|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|10.25|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship draught = | Ship draft = less than {{convert|3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship propulsion = two MTU 16V1163M94 V16 diesel engines; {{cvt|5920|kW|bhp|lk=on}} each | Ship speed = maximum: above {{convert|30|kn|lk=in}} | Ship range = {{convert|5500|km| nmi |
| 2}}
| Ship endurance = 21 days | Ship complement = * 50 officers and crewmen
| Ship sensors = IAI Elta EL/M-2258 ALPHA (Advanced Lightweight PHased Array) S-band multi-mission naval radar | Ship EW = | Ship armament = * 8 RGM-84 Harpoon or Gabriel anti-ship missiles
| Ship armour = | Ship armor = | Ship aircraft = up to AW139 class | Ship aircraft facilities = {{cvt|15.3|m}} helipad and helicopter hangar | Ship notes = }} |
The Sa'ar 72 ({{langx|he|סער 72}}) is a class of Israeli Navy corvettes designed by Israel Shipyards Ltd. as an improved and stretched {{sclass2|Sa'ar 4.5|missile boat}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.israel-shipyards.com/naval-003.asp|title=Israel Shipyards - Experience that empowers seagoing ventures worldwide|work=israel-shipyards.com|accessdate=1 May 2016}} The first Sa'ar 72 was expected to become operational in 2015 but the process to begin construction was not approved until 2024. Subsequent vessels were planned to enter service at the rate of one every eight months.{{cite web|url=http://i-hls.com/2013/11/the-new-israeli-navy-preparing-for-future-terror-threats/|title=The New Israeli Navy – Preparing for Future Terror Threats|author=Ami Dor-On|work=i-hls.com|accessdate=1 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://defense-update.com/20130516_saar-72.html|title=Israel Shipyards Introduces the SAAR 72 Mini-Corvette Design|author=Tamir Eshel|date=16 May 2013|work=defense-update.com|accessdate=1 May 2016}}
History
The design was first unveiled at the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia in Singapore in May 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/israel-shipyard-ltd-shows-off-its-new-saar-s-72-concept-at-imdex/|title=Israel Shipyard Ltd. Shows Off Its New Saar S-72 Concept at IMDEX|work=Defense Media Network|accessdate=1 May 2016}}
On December 12, 2024, the Director General of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, publicly announced a procurement agreement from Israel Shipyards for five Sa'ar 72 type boats, dubbed "Reshef" in Hebrew, with a total value of approximately $780M (NIS 2.8B).{{Cite web |last=Zamir |first=Eyal |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Made in Israel: Ministry of Defense buys Israeli missile cruisers |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/400636 |website=Israel National News}} This comes following a legislative committee approval to fund procurement of these vessels, among other military equipment.{{Cite web |website=Naval Technology |date=November 26, 2024 |title=IMOD to acquire Reshef missile ships from Israel Shipyards |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/imod-acquire-reshef-missile-ships/}} Steel cutting began in February 2025.[https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/64410 Israel Launches Production of Next-Generation Reshef Warships]