Netanyahu at Navy Base: "We Will Be Among the World Leaders in Naval Warfare"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Navy base in Ashdod, received a security briefing on challenges in the maritime arena, and viewed a display of weapons. Netanyahu said the naval battlefield has become a central arena, as seen in Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, and pledged to expand the naval fleet and make Israel one of the leaders in surface and submarine warfare.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Navy base in Ashdod today (Sunday). The two received a comprehensive security briefing on challenges in the maritime arena and activities in the southern theater, including the regular security patrol division and the landing craft company. During the visit, they viewed a display of advanced weapons used by the Navy for defense and attack missions. Netanyahu addressed the growing threats in the maritime arena and said: "The maritime space has become an international battlefield in recent years – we see this in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. Our enemies want to threaten our maritime space in the Mediterranean, the ports, and maritime traffic – and of course we will not allow this to happen. We will protect the State of Israel also from the sea." The Prime Minister made clear that the state will work to expand the IDF's naval fleet, and pledged that Israel will continue to establish its status as a power in the field. He addressed new equipment demands from the defense establishment, following the reinforcement of forces and the arrival of the sixth submarine to the Israeli fleet: "I heard from security officials that they need more tools. A sixth submarine arrived in the country – and they want more. They are requesting more vessels and other means. I intend for Israel to be one of the world leaders in the field of surface and submarine warfare."