The Israeli Navy has commissioned its first amphibious assault ships, the Nahshon and Komemiyut.

The news was published on the official website of the Israeli Navy.

On July 24, the country’s Navy Command held a solemn ceremony at its base in Haifa to commission two LSV (Logistic Support Vessel) type amphibious assault ships.

The first of the two ships, Nahshon, was delivered in August 2023. The second vessel, Komemiyut, arrived in June of this year.

Both ships will be the largest amphibious assault vessels in the Israeli Navy. They will be part of the newly formed Palgat HaNahatot amphibious assault ship division.

The military stated that the new ships “will serve as a logistical axis for the transportation of equipment and soldiers in near and far areas.”

The Nahshon and Komemiyut were built on Israel’s order by the American shipbuilding company Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding under a 2019 contract funded by the United States.

Logistic Support Vessel

LSVs are American 2,500-ton logistics ships designed to transport and land amphibious assault forces and military equipment.

The amphibious assault ships of the project are designed for long-range maritime operations and can cover a distance of more than 8,000 kilometers when fully loaded. The vessels are equipped with a twin-shaft propulsion system with two diesel engines that provide a speed of up to 13 knots (24 km/h).

These ships have bow and stern ramps and are capable of landing on unequipped coastlines. LSVs can transport up to 815 tons of cargo for landing ashore or 1800 tons as a regular cargo ship.

The cargo deck of the ship is designed to transport any vehicle in service with the U.S. Army. In particular, it can accommodate up to 15 M1 Abrams tanks or 82 ISO containers.

A year ago, the Israeli Navy received the newest Dolphin-2 class submarine, which was built at the German shipyard in Kiel.