The SHALDAG-Class fast patrol boats (FPBs) are built by Israel Shipyards Limited (ISL) to meet the challenging coastal security requirements of navies across the globe.

Also deployable by the coast guard and border police units, the patrol boat is specifically designed to offer immediate response and high-speed interception during emergency situations.

The SHALDAG-class can support a range of missions such as maritime patrol, interception of terrorist activities, drug trafficking, prevention of illegal immigration, and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations.

SHALDAG-class orders and deliveries

Shaldag MK III – israel-shipyards.com

Argentina placed an order with ISL for the supply of four SHALDAG MK II boats in December 2016. The first two vessels were delivered to the Prefectura Naval Argentina (Argentina Coast Guard) in April 2018.

The FPB is also in service with the Israeli Navy (Israeli Sea Corps), Azerbaijani Navy, Sri Lanka Navy, Nigerian Navy, Cyprus Port and Marine Police, and the Equatorial Guinea Navy.

SHALDAG-class fast patrol boat design

southfront.org

The fast patrol boat features a deep-V hull and superstructure made of welded marine aluminium alloy. Its design offers low resistance and superior seakeeping characteristics, including very low slamming in rough seas.

The hull is partitioned into six parts, including a fore peak, accommodation compartment, ammunition store and sanitary areas, engine room, auxiliary room, and steering compartment.

The very shallow draft of the boat ensures operations near the shore or beach. Crew movement at all speeds is further assisted by the dry dock on the vessel.

The SHALDAG-class boat is designed to carry between ten and 14 personnel on-board, based on its configuration. It can also carry optional payloads, including a rescue boat or an FPB.

SHALDAG-class variants

ramallah.news

The SHALDAG-class is available in three versions, namely SHALDAG MK II, SHALDAG MK III/IV, and SHALDAG MK V.

Shaldag MK II – israel-shipyards.com

The SHALDAG MK II has an overall length of 24.8m, maximum beam of 6m, and a maximum draft of 1.15m. It has the capacity to carry eight to ten crew members and can travel up to 650nm at a standard speed of 33kt. The endurance of SHALDAG MK II is four days.

SHALDAG MK II

israel-shipyards.com

The SHALDAG MK III/IV is 26.7m-long and 6m-wide, while it has a maximum draft of 1.2m. The variant can attain a range of up to 700nm without any mid supplies and can endure at sea up to four days. The maximum crew-carrying capacity of the variant is 12.

SHALDAG MK III

israel-shipyards.com

SHALDAG MK IV

israel-shipyards.com

The SHALDAG MK V is an advanced variant compared to the other two variants in terms of performance and physical attributes. It has an overall length of 31.2m, draft of 1.25m, and moulded beam of 6.4m.

Shaldag MK IV – israel-shipyards.com

The maximum endurance and range of the vessel are six days and 1,000nm, respectively. The boat can carry up to 14 crew members.

SHALDAG MK V

israel-shipyards.com

The displacements of the SHALDAG MK II, MK III/IV and MK V variants are 58t, 64t and 95t, respectively.

Shaldag MK V – israel-shipyards.com

Mini-Shaldag

Mini-Shaldag – israel-shipyards.com

Armament

The fast patrol boat can be armed with a 23mm-25mm TYPHOON automatic gun, two 12.7mm or 7.62mm MINI-TYPHOON heavy machine guns, and other manually operated guns of similar configuration.

23mm-25mm TYPHOON automatic gun

Typhoon armed with 25 mm gun on Shaldag class fast patrol boat of the Israeli Navy – Wikimedia Commons

The TYPHOON™ 25mm, a combat-proven and globally top-selling RCWS, is in operational use in various navies worldwide ‒ either as a secondary gun for large vessels or the main gun for patrol boats. It enables comprehensive ship perimeter protection, especially in the littorals, and is supported by an integrated ballistic computer with an advanced Electro-Optic and Fire Control System. Source rafael.co.il

It can also carry up to eight short-range anti-ship missiles to engage targets at sea or on the coastline.

“Shaldag” patrol boats train on Mediterranean Sea, simulating various real life situations – Wikimedia Commons

Spike Extended Range (ER)

Israel Shipyards

The extended-range (8km) version, Spike-ER, also has a larger warhead. It is designed for mounting on light combat vehicles but can also be removed and fitted onto a tripod. The vehicle package includes the missile in its canister, a remotely controlled turret with target acquisition system and electronics and gunner’s station with multifunction display, control panel and handgrip.

Israel Shipyards

rafael.co.il

A bi-directional fibre-optic datalink provides Spike-ER with a fire and steer mode, in addition to the other two modes. This means that the gunner does not need to lock-on to the target before launch, but can choose the target after launch and steer the missile to the target’s most vulnerable point or hand over to fire-and-forget.

Rafael has developed a version of Spike-ER with a penetration, blast and fragmentation (PBF) warhead which only explodes after penetration of the target (e.g. a wall), minimising collateral damage.

A Spike-ER launcher has been developed for helicopters. The four-round launcher requires no modifications to the helicopter, other than software integration. It can be fitted to a variety of helicopters, including AH-64 Apache (which can carry 16 missiles), AH-1S Cobra, A-129, MD-500, Mi-24 and others. Source army-technology.com

Navigation and sensor systems on-board SHALDAG-class

Shaldag MK IV – israel-shipyards.com

The integrated navigation system on-board the vessel includes a laser range-finder, high-definition cameras, thermal imaging equipment, and a control console with 15in multi-functional displays.

Israel Shipyards

The sensor suite integrates an X-band surface search radar, and Rafael TOPLITE or IAI POP electro-optical system (EOS) for surveillance and fire control during day and night.

Propulsion and performance

Shaldag MK V – israel-shipyards.com

The SHALDAG-class FPB is powered by two independently operated MTU diesel engines of 16V2000 or 12V4000 type. The engines propel two MJP 550DD or 650DD water jets.

2 x MJP 550DD or 650DD water jets

marinejetpower.com

mshs.com

The SHALDAG MK II has a maximum speed of 45kt, while the SHALDAG III/IV and SHALDAG V can attain maximum speeds of 43kt and 40kt, respectively. The vessels can also carry 13,000l of fuel and 1,000l of fresh water.

Main material source naval-technology.com

Images are from public domain unless otherwise stated

Main image Israel Shipyards

Main image Wikimedia Commons

Updated Feb 22, 2021