Sa ' ar 4 . 5 - class missile boat Sa ' ar 4 . 5 ( ) is a class of Israeli Sea Corps missile boat s designed and built by Israel Shipyards Ltd . as an improved and stretched . There are two different subclasses that are both named " Saar 4 . 5 " . The first subclass was initially called " Chochit " ( ) , but renamed to " Aliya " ( ) . Two " Aliya " - subclass boats are in service with the Mexican Navy . The second subclass was initially called " Nirit " ( ) but renamed to " Hetz " ( ) . Eight " Hetz " - subclass boats are in service with the Israeli Navy . Subclasses . " Aliya " subclass . The first two " Sa ' ar 4 . 5 " boats were " Aliya " subclass . Two boats of this version were built and launched in 1980 , the first one being , followed by . Additionally to the anti - ship missile s , these missile boats were equipped with aviation facilities that could accommodate two ( 1 on a regular basis ) Bell 206 , MD 500 , or HH - 65 helicopters . Eurocopter Panther was the last helicopter deployed on these boats in the Israeli navy . The " Aliya " subclass are the smallest warships with a helipad and helicopter hangar . In August 1984 , INS " Aliya " and INS " Geula " were sent to destroy a terrorist facility in Nahr al - Bared , northern Lebanon . Two MD 500 Defender s from INS " Aliya " and another two from INS " Geula " successfully hit the target . In July 1985 , INS " Aliya " and INS " Geula " carried out a similar mission near Nahr al - Bared . In January 2004 both boats were sold to Mexico for service in the Mexican Navy . On August 23 , 2004 the boats were relaunched in Mexico renamed and . Press reports indicate that Israel removed the Harpoon missile systems prior to the sale , however , the Gabriel anti - ship missile systems were included in the package . " Hetz " subclass . " Saar 4 . 5 " " Hetz " - subclass missile boats lack the helicopter facilities of the " Aliya " subclass , but have more weapon systems fitted . They are largely based on the with improvements in electronic systems : command and control , detection , classification and identification , fire control system , radar , sonar , electronic warfare and communications . The engines and propulsion systems were also upgraded . The boat itself is 4 meters longer than the " Saar 4 " - class to accommodate the new systems . The original construction plan for " Saar 4 . 5 " - class missile boats included 2 helicopter - equipped boats ( INS " Aliya " and INS " Geula " ) and three ordinary missile boats : INS " Romach " ( launched and commissioned in 1981 ) , INS " Keshet " ( launched and commissioned in 1982 ) and INS " Nirit " . The keel of INS " Nirit " was laid in 1984 but the construction ceased due to lack of funds and it was finally launched in 1990 and commissioned in 1991 with some modern equipment , eventuality renamed to INS " Hetz " . Consequently the older INS " Romach " and INS " Keshet " were upgraded to match the INS " Hetz " specifications . INS " Kidon " , INS " Tarshish " , and INS " Yaffo " ' commissioned in 1994 , 1995 , and 1998 respectively . Particularly INS " Kidon " and INS " Yaffo " were built comprising various older systems that were disassembled from s with the same names , atop brand new " Saar 4 . 5 " - class hulls . INS " Tarshish " possibly also comprised some weapon systems demounted from the " Saar 4 " - class missile boat with the same name , atop a new " Saar 4 . 5 " - class hull . Another two further - upgraded " Saar 4 . 5 Hetz " - subclass missile boats called INS " Herev " and INS " Sufa " were commissioned in 2002 and 2003 , raising the number of " Saar 4 . 5 Hetz " - subclass missile boats to eight .