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Israel Beefs Up Defense with Fifth Dolphin Sub from Germany

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The INS Rahav advanced submarine is the most expensive item ever acquired for the IDF.
The INS Rahav advanced submarine is the most expensive item ever acquired for the IDF.
Israel received its fifth advanced Dolphin-class submarine, the INS Rahav – considered one of the most advanced submarines in the world – from its ally Germany at an official ceremony in the German port city of Kiel on Monday, April 29. The ceremony, at which officials from both nations celebrated this latest development in their defense partnership by breaking a champagne bottle on the underwater vessel’s bow, was attended by Israel Navy Commander Maj. Gen. Ram Rothberg, Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (res.) Udi Shani, and other prominent Israeli officials.

The Dolphin-class submarine is expected to arrive in the Jewish state in 2014, after undergoing a number of steps that are required to make it operational. The Israeli Defense Ministry revealed that the newest addition to its elite naval fleet was the most expensive item it had ever acquired for the Israel Defense Forces.

According to foreign news sources, the submarine is equipped with ten torpedo tubes capable of launching missiles that carry nuclear warheads. Each Dolphin-class submarine costs approximately half a billion dollars, with one-third of the cost paid for by the German government. Dolphin-class submarines are considered to be multipurpose vessels capable of performing a diverse range of naval missions.

Israel’s fourth Dolphin-class submarine, the INS Tannin, is expected to arrive in Israel from Germany several months in advance of the Rahav’s arrival. The Tannin was originally scheduled to reach Israel sometime this year, but its arrival was delayed for a brief period and it is now expected to be delivered to Israel at the beginning of 2014. A ceremony noting the handover of the Tannin submarine was held in Germany in 2012.

These two latest submarines are capable of remaining submerged underwater for extensive periods of time through the usage of “air independent propulsion” technology, which enables non-nuclear submarines to operate without the utilization of atmospheric oxygen. The Israel Defense Forces claims that the two Dolphin-class submarines feature “significant technological developments” that render them notably superior to their predecessors.

“These submarines are a strong, strategic tool for the IDF,” commented Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The State of Israel is ready to act anytime, anywhere – on land, sea and air – in order to ensure the security of Israel’s citizens.”

Among their many capabilities, submarines have the capacity to launch conventional missile attacks on both near and distant targets, fire torpedoes at a variety of naval vessels and engage in intelligence-gathering.

With their extended capabilities, these Dolphin-class submarines are known as the “long arm” of the Israel Navy, and, according to overseas reports, they provide Israel with second-strike capability in the event of a nuclear conflict. The submarines thus play a crucial role in Israel’s ability to deter the looming Iranian nuclear threat. Israeli submarines conduct intensive covert missions that are launched from Israel’s shores on a daily basis.

In February 2013, then-Defense Minister Ehud Barak signed an agreement with Germany for the construction of a sixth Dolphin-class submarine. The Israel Navy will be required to increase its manpower to accommodate the doubling of its fleet from three to six submarines over the next seven years. In this regard, it has expanded the number of relevant training programs, and has additionally increased the size of its officer training course. In addition to helping with the new submarines, these changes will also benefit other, pending requirements that have not yet been finalized, such as a plan to protect the country’s offshore natural gas production platforms.

“Iran is continuing its nuclear program. It has yet to cross the red line I presented at the United Nations, but it is approaching it systematically. We cannot let Iran cross it,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in conjunction with the transfer ceremony.

Speaking at a meeting of Likud-Beytenu in the Knesset, Netanyahu also referred to the ongoing tension in the Gaza Strip. “There is an effort to renew attacks against us and breach the quiet that was achieved following Operation Pillar of Defense,” Netanyahu said. “We are monitoring [the situation] and prepared for all scenarios. We are bolstering the IDF’s strength and we won’t allow our citizens to be harmed, not in the north and not in the south. It needs to be clear to all forces in Gaza: We won’t permit a drizzle of rockets into Israel’s cities. We will respond with much greater strength.”

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