INS Kidon

1997 MODERN NAVY

• 1 INS Kidon Story
• 2 INS Kidon Specification
  • 2.1 Basic
  • 2.2 Roles
  • 2.3 Dimensions
  • 2.4 Weight
  • 2.5 Performance
  • 2.6 Performance
  • 2.7 Armor
  • 2.8 Wing

INS Kidon Story

Both the Mexican and Israeli navies use Saar 4.5-class missile boats built by Israel Shipyards Ltd. One of the Israeli Navy's teams is the INS Kidon, which was rebuilt from old parts of the original INS Kidon (Sa'ar 4-class) series of ships using the updated Sa'ar 4.5-class series hull. The revised INS Kidon was commissioned in 1997 and remains active at the time of writing (2016).???

At the time of construction, the vessel displaces 430 tons under standard load and 488 tons under full load. Her dimensions include an overall length of 202.4 feet, a beam of 25 feet, and a draft of up to 9.2 feet.

Power comes from 4 MTU 16V 396 TB91 diesel marine units delivering 16,000 hp to 4 axles. Top speed in ideal conditions is 34 knots and range is up to 4,800 nautical miles.

On INS Kidon, a rating crew of 53 officers and seamen. There is a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) for deployment/extraction and interceptor engagement. The boat is equipped with Elta ELM/M-2218S series air search radar system and Elta EL/M-2221 fire control radar. Elbit provides the chaff missile launcher and Rafael brings his RF corner reflector/wireless jammer.

Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) from Elisra for NS-9003A/9005 series.

In terms of armament, Kidon carries a 76mm gun and OTO-Melara turret, supported by 8 x RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles and 16 x Barak-1 surface-to-air missiles, allowing the ship to respond within range sea ??and air threats. For close range defense there is a 20mm phalanx system (on the foredeck), 2 x 12.7mm heavy Browning machine guns and up to 3 FN MAG 58 series 7.62mm medium machine guns.

Her shape is such that the main gun armament is located in the stern (instead of the bow as traditionally seen) and the phalanx units are located above the bow. The bridge is forward amidships and the semi-enclosed mast is directly behind the structure.

Most of the structural mass is located midship forward, while the rest of the deck area is occupied by various smaller structures including rocket launchers.

With speed, agility and good firepower on demand, the INS Kidon will be a true multipurpose asset for the Israeli Navy in the fickle Mediterranean waters.

INS Kidon Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Wing