Did they really have to spend $900 million for a vessel that needs a crew of 59 to conduct "domestic operational patrols"? Couldn't they have built a fleet of coast guard cutters for that?
It is difficult to tell from this story, but that price may be for the whole set.
Even then, they would be overpriced. as the Germans are selling new Dolphin class subs for $375 million each. "Over the last year, industry sources said, HDW has reduced its price of the Dolphin for Israel from $610 million to $375 million per submarine. Officials said this has reflected slumping HDW sales as well as a decision to continue production in Germany." http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1231688/posts