Israel and Turkey don’t share a land border; they’re separated by the Mediterranean Sea, with Turkey lying to the north of Israel. Any large-scale military operation targeting Turkish territory would require a significant naval component to transport troops, vehicles, and supplies across the sea.

By Hezy Laing

In recent months the IDF has acquired five new amphibious landing craft, known as Tritons, a move that defense officials say is partly aimed at countering a potential future threat from Turkey.

The five Triton vessels are small, fast landing craft designed to rapidly transport large numbers of troops and light vehicles onto hostile shores.

The Triton landing craft are designed to operate on both water and land through the use of air cushion technology.

The craft rides on a cushion of air created by high-pressure fans that allow it to hover over various terrains, including water, sand, and even uneven ground.

This air cushion capability enables the vessel to transition directly from sea to shore without needing a traditional dock or pier, allowing it to access more than 70 percent of the world’s coastline.

The craft can beach itself, lower a ramp, and discharge troops, vehicles, and supplies directly onto dry land, then retract and return to sea.

This makes the Triton particularly valuable for amphibious assaults, covert insertions behind enemy lines, and resupply missions in areas where conventional ports are unavailable or defended.

A 68-meter landing craft costs approximately $7 million.

For context, the US Navy’s newest amphibious landing ships are estimated to cost between $340 million and $430 million each, though those are far larger vessels.

The Triton craft acquired by Israel are likely in the lower range given their smaller size and simpler design.

They join two larger landing ships already in service: the INS Nahshon and the INS Komemiyut, which arrived in Israel from the United States during the war.

The INS Nahshon was delivered in August 2023, and the INS Komemiyut arrived at the Haifa Naval Base on June 16, 2024.

These larger vessels are approximately 95 meters in length, 20 meters wide, and have a displacement of over 2,500 tons each.

They are capable of deploying armored fighting vehicles, including tanks and armored personnel carriers, as well as logistical supplies directly onto enemy coastlines.

The acquisition of the new Triton landing craft expands the IDF’s operational options, including the possibility of conducting covert amphibious landings deep inside enemy territory while bypassing frontline defenses under air cover. Senior officials say this capability will be important in future conflicts.

The decision to acquire these vessels comes as Israeli defense officials assess the growing naval capabilities of Turkey.

The Turkish Navy operates dozens of frigates and amphibious landing ships capable of deploying entire divisions onto enemy shores, and also fields a substantial submarine fleet, missile boats, and drone carriers.

Israel and Turkey do not share a land border; they are separated by the Mediterranean Sea, with Turkey lying to the north of Israel.

Any large-scale military operation targeting Turkish territory would therefore require a significant naval component to transport troops, vehicles, and supplies across the sea.

Amphibious landing craft are essential for conducting opposed landings on a hostile coastline.

Without them, the IDF would lack the ability to establish a beachhead on Turkish shores, as troops would have to be unloaded at ports, which would likely be heavily defended or destroyed.

The Turkish Navy operates dozens of frigates and amphibious landing ships capable of deploying entire divisions onto enemy shores, giving it a significant numerical advantage at sea.

To counter this, Israel requires its own amphibious capability to project power and conduct offensive operations.

The acquisition of the five new Triton landing craft and the two larger Nahshon-class ships (INS Nahshon and INS Komemiyut) is explicitly framed by Israeli defense officials as a response to the potential Turkish threat.

These vessels allow the IDF to bypass frontline defenses and conduct covert amphibious landings deep inside enemy territory under air cover.

Without such vessels, Israel’s ability to launch a ground invasion of Turkey would be severely limited, confining its response to air and missile strikes, which alone cannot achieve a decisive military outcome on land.

Israeli defense officials argue that if Turkey is openly preparing for amphibious operations deep inside enemy territory, Israel cannot afford to ignore the possibility.

The Israeli Navy is also expanding preparations for a more sustained campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi threat in Yemen, implementing a long-term force buildup plan that includes acquiring vessels capable of extended deployments near Houthi-controlled ports and in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.