Historical Note

INS Lahav (Hebrew for "blade") is a Sa'ar 5-class corvette built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and delivered to Israel on March 31, 1994. The second of three corvettes in the class, she remains one of the largest surface combatants in the Israeli Navy.

In 2026, the ship is undergoing a major refit, with work estimated at approximately $80 million. She is being fitted with a naval variant of the Iron Dome system (C-Dome), a new radar, and modern communications systems.

INS Lahav (Rank VII)

Brief Overview

• Strengths: Four Gabriel V anti-ship missiles per salvo with fast reload and increased damage; four Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles with fast reload; stealth technology; outstanding maneuverability; and a small profile.
• Weaknesses: No artillery armament and CIWS coverage limited to the forward hemisphere.
• Role in battle: A highly agile missile ship suited to aggressive mid-range combat and evading return fire.

In Battle

The first Israeli missile boat in the game, INS Lahav also introduces new missiles to War Thunder Mobile. The Gabriel V anti-ship missiles deliver strong damage and reload quickly. The second type, the Barak 8 surface-to-air missile, is equally capable of engaging surface targets – also offering a fast reload, though with more moderate damage output.

Her defensive features are equally noteworthy. Built using stealth technology, INS Lahav takes longer to acquire with missile weapons. She also carries a CIWS in her bow for intercepting incoming missiles – though it protects only the forward hemisphere, so strikes from astern remain a vulnerability.

INS Lahav's true highlight, however, is her size and maneuverability. She is one of the most compact missile ships in the game – comparable in length to the German Braunschweig, but with an even lower silhouette.

That compact hull grants INS Lahav arguably the finest maneuverability of any missile ship currently in War Thunder Mobile. She is faster than her German counterpart and turns more sharply, allowing you to weave between cover with remarkable agility.

Tactics for INS Lahav revolve around speed and exceptional maneuverability. Movement is survival. Never stand still – her light construction will not hold up even in a brief exchange of fire. Her maneuverability, however, allows you to evade incoming salvos and seize advantageous positions faster than any opponent. INS Lahav is the embodiment of the modern stealth missile boat: small, fast, with a powerful missile salvo and nothing in the way of unnecessary armament.

Premium version of the INS Lahav (Rank VII)

In the Ship Campaign, only one ship can be taken into battle. Because of this, the Premium version of any ship is not a separate unit, but it completely replaces the standard “gray” version. After obtaining the premium version, the blueprints for the standard version of the ship will disappear from the store and trophies, and the ship itself will become unavailable in trophies and jackpots.

Differences between the Premium and Standard versions:

• The ability to get gold after a battle, according to the daily limit;
• Unique premium camouflage;
• Fully unlocked upgrades in the Arsenal;
• The ship gets the maximum crew level immediately.

* Vehicle specifications and camouflages are still a work in progress and may change upon release.

The INS Lahav (Rank VII) will appear in War Thunder Mobile (WTM) in the “Battle Allies” seasonal update.