The Submarine Heritage Centre - Israeli GAL Class

Sponsorship Comments

This painting was commissioned by Mr. Tony Peak. Mr Peak was a part of the Senior Management team that worked on the GAL class submarines for the Israeli Navy. At he time of build, and due to the security involved, these submarines were collectively known as the 540 Project.

GAL Class Technical Facts:

- Builder: Vickers Shipyard - Barrow-in-Furness.
- Dates in Service: 1978
- Displacement: Approx ; 600 metric tons surfaced, 660 metric tons submerged.
- Dimensions (in metres): Length: 48.9m, Beam: 4.90m.
- Speed: Surfaced: 11 knots, Submerged: 17 knots.
- Armaments: Six 21 inch bow torpedo tubes.
- Complement: 23.
- Vessels in Class: INS GAL, INS RAHAV and INS TANIN.

Historical Facts:

The GAL class of submarine were built for the Israeli Navy to meet the current needs of their Maritime Battle Plan at that time. GAL in Hebrew means Wave and is popular as both a Girl and Boys name.

This new class of submarine were replacements for the ageing World War II (ex British "S" and "T") class submarines that formed the bulk of the Israeli Navies Submarine Service at that Time.They were based on the German 206A class of submarine. For more that 25 years these submarines are reputed to have given outstanding service to their country.

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