Missile Ship

a class of surface warship whose principal weapon is missiles. The ships are designed to destroy large enemy surface warships and transports by means of missiles.

In the navies of the capitalist states, ships of the existing classes (such as cruisers, destroyers, and frigates) are armed with antiaircraft, antisubmarine, and multipurpose missile complexes. These vessels are used for a variety of combat missions at sea, including destroying enemy ships. They are often called guided missile ships (for example, guided missile cruisers and guided missile frigates). Missile boats are also being built.

The first time in the history of combat at sea that missile boats were used in battle was during the struggle of the Arab states against Israeli aggression. On Oct. 21, 1967, two missile boats of the Egyptian Navy sank the Israeli destroyer Elath with one missile salvo.