BRUSSELS – German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will, according to informed sources in Berlin, finalise the details of the sale of another Dolphin class submarine to Israel on January 18th when Mrs. Merkel will visit Israel. The sources said that the negotiations are now at an advanced stage.
Israel has already taken delivery of three German submarines, which where ordered in 2005 and were expected to be handed over to the Israelis in 2010. Despite German demands, Israel has not paid for previous deliveries and Germany is now insisting on payment. The submarines have been built at a cost of 1.3 billion Euros with Germany covering one-third of the bill.
The Dolphin Class submarines are quiet diesel-electric attack submarines that evolved from Germany’s U209 class. They can fire torpedoes as well as cruise missiles carrying nuclear warheads from their four 650mm torpedo tubs, which will enable the Israelis to respond in case of a nuclear attack.
The other six 533mm tubes can launch torpedoes or anti ship missiles. The sources said further, that Israel has conducted deployment tests on a nuclear-capable version of its medium-range Popeye Turbo cruise missile design to ensure they can be fired from the 650mm torpedo tube in the Dolphin Class submarines. Furthermore, the Israelis have tested in 2002 the Popeye Turbo cruise missile in a location off Seri Lanka.
The submarines incorporate an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system in order to allow them to spend more time submerged. The Dolphin subs are designed for a crew of 35, and have a maximum speed of 20 knots and a maximum range of 4,500km. Israel has now a total of six Dolphin Class submarines.
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Tags: angela merkel, Benjamin Netanyahu, cruise missile, dolphin class submarine, germany, israel, israel nuclear weapons, News, nuclear capability, popeye turbo
Whom would Israeli torpedoes be aimed at?
Not so much torpedoes… as a missile launching capable sub, they have a response- (and a “hammer”) -either guided missile conventional or nuclear – to any Arab threat
[...] large enemy motor barges loaded with soldiers, escorted by six gunboats, directed toward Sevastopol.Germany Sells Another Submarine To Israel The Economic VoiceIsrael has already taken delivery of three German submarines, which where ordered in 2005 and were [...]
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