View source for Gabriel (missile)

{{Short description|Israeli made Anti-ship missile}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_missile         = yes
| name               = Gabriel
| image              = Gabrielout.jpg
| image_size         = 250
| caption            = An IAI Gabriel Anti-ship missile
| origin             = Israel
| type               = [[Anti-ship missile]]
| used_by            = [[#Operators|See ''operators'']]
| wars               = [[Yom Kippur War]]
| manufacturer       = [[Israel Aerospace Industries]]
| unit_cost          = US$5 million per missile (Gabriel V / Blue Spear)
| production_date    = 
| service            = 1970
| engine             = 
| weight             = Mark I: {{convert|430|kg|abbr=on|lk=on}}<br />Mark II: {{convert|522|kg|abbr=on}}<br />Mark III: {{convert|560|kg|abbr=on}}<br />Mark III A/S: {{convert|590|kg|abbr=on}}<br />Mark IV: {{convert|960|kg|abbr=on}}<br />Mark V: {{convert|1250|kg|abbr=on}}
| length             = Mark I: {{convert|3.35|m|abbr=on}}<br />Mark II: {{convert|3.36|m|abbr=on}}<br />Mark III: {{convert|3.75|m|abbr=on}}<br />Mark III A/S: {{convert|3.78|m|abbr=on}}<br />Mark IV: {{convert|4.7|m|abbr=on}}<br />Mark V: {{convert|5.5|m|abbr=on}}
| diameter           = Mark I/ II /III / IIIA/S: {{convert|330|mm|abbr=on}}<br />Mark IV: {{convert|440|mm|abbr=on}}
| wingspan           = Mark I / II:{{convert|1.35|m|abbr=on}}<br />Mark III:{{convert|1.32|m|abbr=on}}<br />Mark IIIA/S{{convert|1.08|m|abbr=on}}<br />Mark IV:{{convert|1.60|m|abbr=on}}
| speed              = 
| vehicle_range      = Mark I: {{convert|20|km|abbr=on}}<br />Mark II:{{convert|6|-|36|km|abbr=on}}<br />Mark III:{{convert|36|km|abbr=on}}<br />Mark IIIA/S:{{convert|60|km|abbr=on}}<br />Mark IV:{{convert|200|km|abbr=on}}{{citation needed|reason=This claim needs a reliable source|date=April 2021}} <br />Mark V/Blue Spear/Sea Serpent:{{convert|400|km|abbr=on}}
| ceiling            = 
| altitude           = {{convert|2.5|m|abbr=on}}
| filling            = Mark II: {{convert|100|kg|abbr=on}}<br />Mark III / IIIA/S: {{convert|150|kg|abbr=on}}<br />Mark IV: {{convert|240|kg|abbr=on}}
| guidance           = Mark I / II:Semi-Active Radar<br /> Mark III / IIIA/S / IV: Active Radar
| detonation         = 
| launch_platform    = 
| variants           = developed from [[Luz (missile)]]
}}
'''Gabriel''' is a family of [[sea skimming]] [[anti-ship missile]]s manufactured by [[Israel Aerospace Industries]] (IAI). The initial variant of the missile was developed in the 1960s in response to the needs of the [[Israeli Navy]] which first deployed it in 1970. Since then, variants have been exported to navies around the world. The latest variant, the Gabriel V, is in use by the Finnish and Israeli navies as of 2020.

== Origin ==
On October 21, 1967, four [[P-15 Termit|Styx]] missiles sank the destroyer [[HMS Zealous (R39)|INS ''Eilat'']], which was patrolling along the northern shores of the [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]]. Forty-seven Israeli sailors and officers were killed or went [[missing in action]] and 100 were injured.<ref>{{cite web |author=Cécile Pilverdier |url=http://www.un-echo-israel.net/Histoire-d-Israel-annee-1967 |title=Histoire d'Israël : année 1967 - Un écho d'Israël |publisher=Un-echo-israel.net |language=fr |access-date=2011-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023092842/http://www.un-echo-israel.net/Histoire-d-Israel-annee-1967 |archive-date=2011-10-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The loss of the ship prompted the [[Israeli Navy]] to ask [[Israel Aerospace Industries]] to accelerate the development of an anti-ship missile, which had begun in 1958 with the [[Luz (missile)|Luz]] (or Lutz) program.

==Development==
[[File:INSHaifaShootGabriel1969.jpg|thumb|Testing of the Gabriel II missile from [[Sa'ar 2-class missile boat|Sa'ar 2]] class ship, 1969]]

Faced with [[Rafael Advanced Defense Systems]]'s anxiety to develop a new guidance system, [[Shlomo Erell]] asked Israel Aerospace Industries to take over the program by recruiting [[Ori Even-Tov]], a former Rafael engineer. Even-Tov suggested dropping the guidance joystick approach used by the Luz, and instead proposed the development of an autonomous guidance system which would allow the missile to seek its objective, even in bad weather or bad visibility.<ref name="escape">{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Article.aspx?id=164148|access-date=November 1, 2011|title=Escape from Cherbourg|first=Abraham|last=Rebinovich|publisher=Jerusalem Post|date=December 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018004618/http://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Article.aspx?id=164148|archive-date=October 18, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
He further proposed using an altimeter, allowing the missile to fly some meters over the surface of the sea, making it difficult to detect and allowing it to hit the target just above the waterline. A radar installed on the ship had to guide the missile, while the altimeter would keep the missile in sea-skimming mode.<ref name=escape/>

===Gabriel Mk 1===
The development of the Gabriel for the [[Israeli Navy]] began in 1962,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iai.co.il/14465-14641-en/BusinessAreas_NavalSystems_SeatoSeaMissiles.aspx|title=Israel Aerospace Industries LTD|access-date=8 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207051422/http://www.iai.co.il/14465-14641-en/BusinessAreas_NavalSystems_SeatoSeaMissiles.aspx |archive-date=7 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> before being first shown to the public in 1970. It was touted to be the world's first operational [[sea-skimming]] missile, and saw extensive action during the [[Yom Kippur War]].<ref name="Gabriel Family">{{cite web |url=http://www.harpoondatabases.com/encyclopedia/Entry1365.aspx |title=Gabriel family |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629070356/http://www.harpoondatabases.com/encyclopedia/Entry1365.aspx |archive-date=2012-06-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A batch of 50 was imported by the [[Republic of China Navy]] for evaluation and as the interim weapon for the three Allen M. Sumner class destroyers upgraded with Gabriel Mk 2 missile system, and it is also the basis for the Taiwanese [[Hsiung Feng I]] missile.

===Gabriel Mk 2===
The Gabriel Mk 2, an improved version of Gabriel, was created in 1972 and entered service in 1976. It was also built under license in South Africa under the name ''Skerpioen'' ([[Afrikaans]] for Scorpion).<ref name=janes_gabriel/> The Taiwanese Hsiung Feng I missile can be considered as a parallel development, being based on Gabriel Mk 1 but with similar improvements, and ordnances used by the two systems are interchangeable.

===Gabriel III===
Gabriel III and Gabriel III A/S were introduced in 1978<ref name=janes_gabriel>{{cite web |url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Air-Launched-Weapons/Gabriel-Israel.html |title=Gabriel (Israel) - Jane's Air-Launched Weapons |publisher=Articles.janes.com |date=2010-09-08 |access-date=2011-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811211404/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Air-Launched-Weapons/Gabriel-Israel.html |archive-date=2011-08-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with major improvements. The air-launched Gabriel III A/S has a range of over 60&nbsp;km.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} Both Gabriel III versions employ the widely used '[[fire and forget]]' mode.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}

===Gabriel IV===
Developed in the early 1990s is related to the Gabriel Mk III but larger and with a turbojet engine for sustained flight. It is distinguishable from the Mk III because of its swept wings with cropped tip. Like the Mk III, it has 3 guidance modes: Fire and Forget, Fire and Update with data link, and Fire and command using Radar update<ref name="Gabriel Family"/>

===Gabriel V===
Israel Aerospace Industries is reportedly working on a Gabriel V Advanced Naval Attack Missile, with an advanced active multi-spectral seeker designed for cluttered littoral environments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iai.co.il/34406-36714-en/BusinessAreas_NavalSystems_AdvancedNavalAttackMissile.aspx|title=Israel Aerospace Industries LTD|access-date=8 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207041019/http://www.iai.co.il/34406-36714-en/BusinessAreas_NavalSystems_AdvancedNavalAttackMissile.aspx |archive-date=7 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://defense-update.com/newscast/1007/news/021007_gabriel.htm|title=IAI Introduces Gabriel 5 Anti-Ship Missile System|access-date=8 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724162835/http://defense-update.com/newscast/1007/news/021007_gabriel.htm|archive-date=24 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2020, this variant is deployed by the [[Finnish Navy|Finnish]] and Israeli navies.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001343831 |title=צה"ל הודיע על ניסוי מוצלח במערכת טילי ים-ים |newspaper=Globes |date=25 September 2020 |language=he |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927023449/https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001343831 |archive-date=2020-09-27 |url-status=live|last1=שניידר |first1=טל }}</ref> Range is claimed to be more than 200&nbsp;km to 400&nbsp;km.<ref name="Finnish navy"/>

Successful test firing of the Gabriel V was conducted by the Israel Defense Forces on September 21, 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/09/israeli-navy-test-fires-gabriel-v-anti-ship-missile-from-saar-6-corvette/ | title=Israeli Navy test-fires Gabriel V anti-ship missile from Sa'ar 6 corvette | date=22 September 2022 }}</ref>

===Blue Spear and Sea Serpent missile systems===

In 2020, Israel's IAI and Singapore's [[ST Engineering]] started a 50/50 joint venture company called '''Proteus Advanced Systems''' to develop, produce and market a derivative of the Gabriel V called the '''Blue Spear''' missile system. The missile has both sea and deep land attack capabilities with enhanced maneuverability for littoral environments.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/smr/singapore-airshow/2022/02/15/proteus-reveals-more-details-of-blue-spear-missile/ |title=Proteus reveals more details of Blue Spear missile |website=defensenews.com |last=Yeo|first=Mike|date=16 February 2022|access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref> The warhead employs an active radar-homing seeker, accurate INS-based navigation capabilities, beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) capability and a robust system which is immune to GPS disruptions and maximal accuracy target acquisition. The system is equipped with a variety of deception means to achieve its mission and cope with the different battle-field challenges. ST Engineering's role in the Blue Spear's development includes the design, development and production of major subsystems like the booster motor and warhead.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2020/07/28/singapore-israeli-firms-team-to-develop-new-ship-killing-missile/ |title=Singapore, Israeli firms team to develop new ship-killing missile |website=defensenews.com |last=Yeo|first=Mike|date=29 July 2020|access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref>

In 2021, IAI  and Thales jointly marketed a variant of the Gabriel V/Blue Spear called '''Sea Serpent''' to the [[Royal Navy]] to replace its ageing [[Harpoon (missile)|Harpoon]] missile system. At DSEI 2021, IAI revealed that Sea Serpent was developed in parallel with Blue Spear and based on the Gabriel V missile system and/or older variants. IAI also revealed that Sea Serpent has a low profile mode or sea skimming range of greater than 290&nbsp;km.<ref name=290km>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/dsei-2021/2021/09/dsei-2021-iai-unveils-new-sea-serpent-anti-ship-missile/ |title=DSEI 2021 |website=navalnews.com |date=September 2021}}</ref> This range corresponds with the overall Gabriel V's range of 200&nbsp;km to 400&nbsp;km, depending on flight profile.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buckby |first=Jack |date=2022-05-14 |title=Blue Spear: The Missile Israel Won't Give to Ukraine |url=https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/05/blue-spear-the-missile-israel-wont-give-to-ukraine/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=19FortyFive |language=en-US}}</ref>

In October 2021, it was announced that the [[Estonian Defence Forces]] purchased the Blue Spear missile system with a maximum range of 290&nbsp;km (flight profile not mentioned).<ref>{{cite web|title=Estonia buys Blue Spear missiles for coastal defense|url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/10/08/estonia-buys-blue-spear-missiles-for-coastal-defense/|date=8 October 2021|access-date=8 October 2021|website=[[Defense News]]}}</ref> The cost of each missile is about $5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Axe |first=David |title=Estonia’s Getting A Powerful Cruise Missile. Now It Needs Some Way To Find Targets. |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/10/12/estonias-getting-a-powerful-cruise-missile-now-it-needs-some-way-to-find-targets/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> On 13 May 2022, it was reported that Israel gave permission to Estonia to give Ukraine one Blue Spear 5G SSM rocket which Israel claims are false.<ref>[https://www.jpost.com/international/article-706661  Israel refused to equip Ukraine with Blue Spear system through Estonia - report], Retrieved on May 14th, 2022</ref> However, the Estonian Minister of Defense dismissed the claims as false.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.delfi.ee/artikkel/120006183/leht-eesti-annab-ukrainale-alles-hiljuti-soetatud-ulimoodsad-laevatorjeraketid-laanet-ei-vasta-toele-see-on-infooperatsioon |title=Leht: Eesti annab Ukrainale alles hiljuti soetatud ülimoodsad laevatõrjeraketid. Laanet: Ei vasta tõele, see on infooperatsioon |website=www.delfi.ee |access-date=May 14, 2022}}</ref> As part of the class's mid-life upgrade from 2028,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stengg.com/en/newsroom/news-releases/st-engineering-awarded-contract-for-mid-life-upgrade-of-formidable-class-frigates/ |title=ST Engineering Awarded Contract for Mid-Life Upgrade of Formidable-class Frigates |website=ST Engineering |access-date=14 December 2023}}</ref> ST Engineering will install the Blue Spear missile on the [[Republic of Singapore Navy|Republic of Singapore Navy's]] six [[Formidable-class frigates]] as a replacement for the American Harpoon missile.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/st-engineering-receives-contract-for-formidable-class-mid-life-upgrades |title=ST Engineering receives contract for Formidable-class mid-life upgrades |website=janes.com |last=Rahmat|first=Ridzwan| date=18 December 2023|access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://defence-industry.eu/singapore-selects-iais-blue-spear-missiles-for-formidable-class-frigates/ |title=Singapore selects IAI’s Blue Spear missiles for Formidable-class frigates |website=Defence Industry Europe |last=Egozi|first=Arie|date=31 December 2023|access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref>

===Older models===
Older models of the Gabriel are still used by [[Chilean Navy|Chile]] (Sa'ar 4 with Gabriel II), [[Israeli Navy|Israel]] (Sa'ar 4.5 with Gabriel II), [[Mexican Navy|Mexico]] (Sa'ar 4.5 with Gabriel II), [[Sri Lanka Navy|Sri Lanka]] (Sa'ar 4 with Gabriel II) and [[Royal Thai Navy|Thailand]] (FPB-45 with Gabriel I).
==Operational history==
{{more citations needed section|date=May 2011}}
{{See also|Battle of Latakia|Battle of Baltim}}
[[File:Saar 4 Shooting (retouched).jpg|thumb|[[Sa'ar 4-class missile boat|Sa'ar 4]] ship launches the Gabriel missile]]

During the [[Yom Kippur War]] the Gabriel I was used for the first time during the [[Battle of Latakia]]. Israeli missile boats armed with Gabriel Mk 1 missiles were credited with defeating [[Syrian]] ships armed with the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-made [[P-15 Termit]] (SS-N-2 Styx) missile. Even though the Styx missile had a longer range, the Gabriel's reliability and flexibility of handling contributed to the Israeli victory.
It is known that the Syrians shot missile salvos at the charging Israeli vessels, but missed due to the Israeli [[Electronic countermeasure|ECM]] technology of the time. When they were in range, the Israeli boats launched their Gabriel missiles, and sank all but one Syrian [[Osa class missile boat|Osa class]] ship, which was later sunk by [[Naval artillery|cannon fire]].
After defeating the Syrian Navy (surviving Syrian ships stayed in port) the Israeli missile boats defeated the Egyptian navy as well, achieving naval supremacy for the remainder of the war.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Razoux|first=Pierre|title=La marine israélienne d'hier à aujourd'hui|language=fr|journal=Marines et Forces Navales|issue=105|date=October–November 2006}}</ref><ref name="escape"/>

===Details===
During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the [[P-15 Termit|Styx]] was shown to be far less effective than previously believed. From October 6 to October 12, 54 missiles were fired to no effect, according to Western sources. The aforementioned Russian sources{{which|date=September 2020}} however, claim that a total of seven ships were sunk - all small vessels such as trawlers, patrol boats, and missile boats. But the Russian specialists agreed with their Western counterparts that the overall results were unsatisfying, especially considering that seven Egyptian and Syrian vessels were sunk after being hit by Israeli Gabriel Mk.1 anti-ship missiles. This last figure is commonly recognized by specialists in both the West and East.

The first such encounter took place during the night of October 6 to October 7, 1973, near Latakia on the Syrian coast. Israeli forces used helicopters flying slowly at very low altitude, effectively simulating naval targets. No Israeli ship was hit by the large salvo of P-15s subsequently fired by the Syrians, who themselves lost the T-43 class trawler Jarmuk and three torpedo boats to Israeli Gabriel missiles. The Syrian missile boats withdrew successfully, but all of their missiles missed the Israeli helicopters, which had climbed to break the missile radars' locks. On the same night, a similar trick with helicopters was repeated against Egyptian ships north of the [[Sinai Peninsula]]. Yet another encounter took place near Latakia on the night of October 10–11. This time, the missile exchange between Israeli and Syrian missile boats took place without the use of helicopters, and Israeli ships relied on [[Chaff (countermeasure)|chaff]]. The Syrian vessels maneuvered outside their harbor among the anchored [[merchant ship]]s. Two of the warships were sunk by Gabriel missiles, which also hit two neutral ships, the Greek [[Tsimentaros]] and the Japanese [[Yamashuro Maru]]. According to Israeli sources, the use of chaff saved all of its vessels. The following night, the helicopter maneuver was again successfully used during an encounter near [[Tartus]] off the Syrian coast. No Israeli ship was hit by a salvo of P-15s fired by Syrian missile boats. On the Syrian side, two Komar-class vessels were sunk by Gabriel missiles, and also the Soviet merchant ship [[List of shipwrecks in 1973#12 October|''Ilya Mechnikov'']] was hit. On the same night, a similar encounter took place off the coast of [[Port Said]].

==Operators==


===Current operators===

;{{flag|Azerbaijan}}
*[[Azerbaijani Navy|Azerbaijan Navy]]
;{{flag|Ecuador}}
*[[Ecuadorian Navy]]
;{{flag|Eritrea}}
*[[Eritrean Navy]]
;{{flag|Estonia}}
*[[Estonian Navy]] (Blue Spear 5G SSM)<ref>{{cite web |title=Estonia Awards Contract to Proteus for Blue Spear |url=https://www.iai.co.il/estonia-awards-contract-to-proteus-for-blue-spear |publisher=Israel Aerospace Industries |access-date=9 October 2021 |date=6 October 2021}}</ref>
;{{flag|Finland}}
*[[Finnish Navy]] from 2019 onwards<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defmin.fi/en/topical/press_releases?588_m=9399 |title=Finnish Navy to acquire new Surface-to-surface Missile system |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706090647/https://defmin.fi/en/topical/press_releases?588_m=9399 |archive-date=2018-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> (Gabriel V<ref name="Finnish navy">{{Cite web |url=https://merivoimat.fi/artikkeli/-/asset_publisher/merivoimien-uusi-pintatorjuntaohjus-gabriel-5 |title=Merivoimien uusi pintatorjuntaohjus – Gabriel 5 |date=13 December 2019 |language=fi |trans-title=New Navy Surface Missile - Gabriel 5 |access-date=2019-12-13 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210415072609/https://merivoimat.fi/-/merivoimien-uusi-pintatorjuntaohjus-gabriel-5 |archive-date=2021-04-15 |url-status=live }}</ref>)
;{{ISR}}
*[[Israeli Navy]]
;{{flag|Kenya}}
*[[Kenya Navy|Kenyan Navy]]
;{{MEX}}
*[[Mexican Navy]]
;{{SGP}}
*[[Republic of Singapore Navy]] (Blue Spear 5G SSM)
;{{flag|Sri Lanka}}
*[[Sri Lanka Navy|Sri Lankan Navy]]

===Former operators===

;{{RSA}}
*[[South African Navy]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://navy.org.za/pages/skerpioen.html |title=Skerpioen (Scorpion/Gabriel II) Ship-to-Ship Missile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823013154/http://navy.org.za/pages/skerpioen.html |archive-date=2011-08-23 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
;{{flag|Taiwan}}
*[[Republic of China Navy]] (Mk 2, reduced to reserve status due to service entry of the similar Hsiung Feng I missile and decommissioned in early 1990s)
;{{flag|Thailand}}
*[[Royal Thai Navy]]

==See also==
*{{lwc|Kh-35#Variants|3M24}}
*{{lwc|Exocet}}
*{{lwc|Ghader (missile)|Qader}}
*{{lwc|SOM (missile)|SOM}}
*{{lwc|Noor (missile)|Noor ASCM}}
*{{lwc|Zafar (anti-ship missile)|Zafar}}
*{{lwc|Persian Gulf (missile)|Khalij Fars}}
*{{lwc|YJ-83}}

==References==
{{Commons}}
{{Reflist}}

{{IAI aircraft}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Anti-ship missiles]]
[[Category:Guided missiles of Israel]]
[[Category:Israel Aerospace Industries missiles]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1970s]]