The power to paralyze a country by sea: Israel Navy unveils new vision

The Israeli Navy unveiled a new vision that could potentially paralyze a country through the power of the sea. Maritime trade, which accounts for about 98% of the goods entering Israel, forms an economic, industrial, and strategic backbone for the nation. The Israel Navy recently conducted its largest branch-wide exercise since October 7, involving more than 1,000 sailors across various units.

The three-day maneuver included extreme scenarios such as defending critical gas rigs and conducting long-range strikes far beyond Israeli shores. The Dvora-class patrol boats, run by small, tight-knit teams, serve as both a home and a battlefield for their crews. Some of the most advanced systems on board the INS Atzmaut, a missile corvette, allow for the interception of missiles, targeting inland locations, and serving as a forward base for prolonged ambushes.

The Navy aims to expand its missile-boat fleet from 15 to 21 vessels and acquire multirole Reshef-class vessels, with international cooperation playing a significant role in this strategic transformation. Recent confrontations with protest flotillas demonstrate the Navy's approach of neutralizing threats well before they reach Israeli shores, likened to a game of snooker.