Israel Shipyards confirms Asian customer for Shaldag V

Israel Shipyards announced on 12 May that it has won a tender to supply its Shaldag MK V multi-mission fast patrol craft to an undisclosed Asian navy.

The user is likely to be the Philippines Navy after Shephard reported a $127.9 million contract in January 2021 for eight of the fast attack craft. However, Israel Shipyards prefers not to divulge the identity of its customers.

The latest deal between Israel Shipyards, the Israeli MoD and the unnamed customer ‘includes the transfer of knowledge regarding the construction of the vessel, as well as the preparation of the customer’s shipyard for vessel construction through an upgrade of the shipyard’, the company noted.

Israel Shipyards stated that it would also run training sessions at the customer’s facility for ‘construction of Shaldag MK V sections as well as maintenance of the vessel’.

Shaldag MK V features a deep-V hull and welded marine aluminium alloy superstructure, designed to offer low resistance and superior sea-keeping characteristics such as low slamming in rough seas. The shallow draft also allows for operations near the shore or beach with crew movement at any speed assisted by a dry dock, notes Shephard Defence Insight.

This article was amended on 13 May to reflect Shephard's opinion of the likely customer.

Related Equipment in Defence Insight

Shaldag MK V