The latest additions to the Israel Navy, the destroyers Yaffo and Elath, sailed from Plymouth for Haifa tonight. The vessels were bought from the British Navy and were converted. They will be the largest units in Israel’s fleet. Israeli seamen have spent months being trained in handling the destroyers.
Before departure, the senior officer in command of the two vessels and the officers of the two units were hosts at a reception attended by senior British Admiralty officers, diplomats, including Israel Ambassador Eliahu Elath and other distinguished guests. Also present was Capt M. Tanna, commander-in-chief of the Israel Navy who is returning to Israel with the destroyers.
Shortly after the announcement of the sale of the two destroyers to Israel last year the Admiralty continued that two other destroyers of the same class had been sold to the Egyptian Navy.
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