Surface Forces: November 19, 2004

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Israel has put into service the first of six Super Dvora 3 coastal patrol boats. The 91 foot long, 65 ton boats are built for speed, and are capable of reaching 90 kilometers an hour. The speed is needed for intercepting high speed boats carrying smuggled weapons or terrorists off the coast of Israel. The Dvora's carry up to twelve sailors and soldiers on missions of four days or more. The boat has a galley, showers and four bunks. The propeller is kept close to the surface so the boat can get close to the shore, thus allowing troops to get onto a beach quickly (for pursuing terrorists or smugglers.) Main weapons are a 25mm automatic cannon, with day and night sights, plus Hellfire missiles and two 12.7mm machine-guns. The boat has radar and some electronic warfare gear. Israel already has 13 earlier versions of the Super Dvora, and sells them to foreign navies.