Israel to get 6th submarine from Germany
Jul 18, 2011 17:13:18 GMT -5
Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jul 18, 2011 17:13:18 GMT -5
Report: Israel to get 6th submarine from Germany
German defense minister authorized transfer of advanced vessel able to carry, launch nuclear weapons after years of delays, Der Spiegel reports.
Germany has granted Israel's request to provide it with a six Dolphin submarines said to be capable of carrying nuclear weapons, Der Spiegel reported.
Berlin had granted the request after several years during which Israel has been pushing for the deal.
According to the report, German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Israel last week. He promised that the deal will be completed with the transfer of 135 million euros to finance the vessels.
Dolphin submarines are manufactured in the city of Kiel in Germany. Experts estimate they are have the longest cruising range of all submarines. Some reports claim they are also able to carry and launch nuclear weapons.
Germany has been providing Israel with these types of submarines since the end of the 1990s. The first two were given as a token of appreciation for Jerusalem's restraint during the First Gulf War and in an effort to boost Israel's strategic abilities. The remaining three were funded by Germany at a third of their cost.
Foreign reports suggest that the German subs serve as Israel's "second strike" power and aim to retain its nuclear capabilities, even in cases of an attack on the country. This supposedly serves to deter Iran or any future enemy which has the ability to destroy Israel.
According to reports, each submarine carries electronic intelligence equipment and several dozen soldiers. It was previously reported that Israeli submarines are stationed in the Persian Gulf near Iran.
www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-4096694,00.html
German defense minister authorized transfer of advanced vessel able to carry, launch nuclear weapons after years of delays, Der Spiegel reports.
Germany has granted Israel's request to provide it with a six Dolphin submarines said to be capable of carrying nuclear weapons, Der Spiegel reported.
Berlin had granted the request after several years during which Israel has been pushing for the deal.
According to the report, German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Israel last week. He promised that the deal will be completed with the transfer of 135 million euros to finance the vessels.
Dolphin submarines are manufactured in the city of Kiel in Germany. Experts estimate they are have the longest cruising range of all submarines. Some reports claim they are also able to carry and launch nuclear weapons.
Germany has been providing Israel with these types of submarines since the end of the 1990s. The first two were given as a token of appreciation for Jerusalem's restraint during the First Gulf War and in an effort to boost Israel's strategic abilities. The remaining three were funded by Germany at a third of their cost.
Foreign reports suggest that the German subs serve as Israel's "second strike" power and aim to retain its nuclear capabilities, even in cases of an attack on the country. This supposedly serves to deter Iran or any future enemy which has the ability to destroy Israel.
According to reports, each submarine carries electronic intelligence equipment and several dozen soldiers. It was previously reported that Israeli submarines are stationed in the Persian Gulf near Iran.
www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-4096694,00.html
