Hittite navy

The Hittite Navy was the main naval force of the Hittite Kingdom then later Hittite Empire from ca. 16th–12th century BC. The navy took part in three land and sea military campaigns of the Hittite Kingdom against the Kingdom of Alashiya between 1275 and 1205 BC. It was also one of the main adversary's of the Egyptian Navy.

History
The Hittites, were forced to take a serious interest in maritime affairs in the late 13th century BC, as a result of increased coastal raiding particularly by the Sea Peoples. The Hittite Kingdom were concerned with threats to its southern Mediterranean coast and further afield. The final monarch of the Hittite Empire was Suppiluliuma II, who is particularly known for commanding the Hittite fleet in the first recorded naval battle in history in 1210 BCE, against the Alashiyan Fleet, (Cypriots) leading to a resounding Hittite victory. The battle was recorded in inscriptions of the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses III that is the earliest reference we have to a true sea battle.

Battles
The navy was involved in a series of three military engagements known as the Battles of Alashiya, that included action both at sea but also on land between the Hittite Navy and the Hittite Army against the Alashiyan Fleet and Army of the Kingdom of Alashiya (Cyprus). The battles took place between 1275 and 1205 BC.

Bases and ports

 * Byblos and Tarsa

The ancient port city of Byblos fell under Hittite control during the reign of King Suppiluliuma I (1344–1322 BC) following the expulsion of the Egyptians from the Levant. Between c. 1700 to 1200 BC the port city of Tarsus was both an important military base and trade centre of the Hittites.
 * Ugarit and Ura

Ugarit was an ancient port city in northern Syria, on the outskirts of modern day Latakia. This port for a period served as important naval base of the Hittite Kingdom. Ura was the major port of Anatolia to which grain and goods were brought from Egypt and Canaan via Ugarit for transshipment to the Hittite Empire. This was the main naval base from which the Hittite Navy conducted sea operations against Alashiya.