Netanyahu's Naval Power Ambitions Face Major Hurdles
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to make Israel a leading global naval power faces significant geographical, economic, and infrastructural challenges, according to Turkish expert Cem Gürdeniz. Israel's heavy reliance on maritime trade and offshore gas fields makes it vulnerable to regional threats, as seen in the decline of traffic at the port of Eilat. While Israel is acquiring advanced naval assets, limitations in coastline, repair facilities, and a lack of civilian coast guard hinder its ambitions. The country is pursuing international cooperation and energy partnerships to bolster its strategic maritime position.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu aims to make Israel a leading global naval power.
- Expert Cem Gürdeniz identifies geographical, economic, and infrastructural limitations.
- Israel's economy relies on sea transport, with 99% of foreign trade volume by sea.
- Regional threats have exposed Israel's maritime vulnerabilities, impacting Eilat port.
- Israel is acquiring advanced naval assets like submarines and missile corvettes.
- Limited coastline, repair facilities, and lack of civilian coast guard pose challenges.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's aspiration to transform Israel into a leading global naval power is encountering significant obstacles, according to Turkish expert Cem Gürdeniz. In an analysis published on the 12punto website, Gürdeniz outlines geographical, economic, and infrastructural limitations hindering this goal. Israel's economy is critically dependent on maritime transport, with approximately 99% of its foreign trade volume by sea. Furthermore, a substantial portion of its energy sector relies on offshore natural gas extraction from fields like Tamar, Leviathan, and Karish.
Recent threats from the Houthis in the Red Sea and Iranian pressure in the Strait of Hormuz have exposed Israel's maritime vulnerabilities. The port of Eilat serves as a stark example, with vessel traffic plummeting from around 134 ships in 2023 to just 16 in 2024, resulting in an estimated 80% loss of revenue due to increased insurance costs and risks.
Despite these challenges, Israel continues to bolster its naval capabilities. The country is acquiring German-made submarines, including the new "Dragon" submarine, and its navy operates Saar-6 class missile corvettes, with amphibious assault ships being supplied by the U.S. The Israeli defense industry is also developing unmanned maritime vehicles for reconnaissance and combat.
However, Gürdeniz argues that advanced weaponry alone is insufficient. Israel's coastline is relatively short, with only 14 kilometers on the Red Sea and 190 kilometers on the Mediterranean. Local shipyards lack the capacity to repair large commercial vessels, forcing Israel to seek overseas facilities for significant repairs, such as for a 30,000-ton tanker.
An additional concern is the absence of a civilian coast guard, leaving military units responsible for border protection, which has led to international incidents, including the Mavi Marmara incident. The reliance on leased vessels from foreign owners, particularly for the ZIM shipping company, further limits Israel's self-sufficiency in maritime resources.
To strengthen its strategic position, Jerusalem is fostering cooperation with Greece and Cyprus and expanding energy ties with Egypt, which plays a crucial role in exporting Israeli natural gas to European markets.
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