Exclusive: Israel buys 2 new submarines from Germany ( U212 )

The Jerusalem Post ^ | Aug. 23, 2006 | YAAKOV KATZ

[george76]

In the face of Iran's race to obtain nuclear power, Israel signed a contract with Germany last month to buy two Dolphin-class submarines that will, according to foreign reports, provide superior second-strike nuclear capabilities...

The submarines will be assembled in Germany and provided with a propulsion system allowing them to remain underwater for far longer than the submarines currently in the Israel Navy's fleet...

The navy is considering installing a Fixed Underwater Sonar System (FUSS) off the coast to detect foreign submarines.

In 1993, Iran bought two Russian Kilo-class submarines and eight mini-submarines from North Korea, although officials said this was not the only reason the system was being considered.

In 2005, Israel spotted a Western submarine snooping off its shore.

The contract signing was said to have come after a long dispute over the price and financing of the submarines...

Israel will purchase the two Dolphins, manufactured by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG, for $1.27 billion, a third of which will be financed by the German government.

The navy already has three Dolphin-class submarines. They are the most expensive weapon platforms in the IDF's arsenal. Germany donated the first two submarines after the first Gulf War and split the cost of the third with Israel. The three submarines currently in the navy's possession employ a diesel-electric propulsion system, which requires them to resurface frequently to recharge their batteries.

The new submarines - called the U212 - will be fitted with a new German technology in which the propulsion system combines a conventional diesel lead-acid battery system and an air-independent propulsion system used for slow, silent cruising, with a fuel cell equipped with oxygen and hydrogen storage.

[PAR35]

Since they have likely had bombs for 20 or 30 years, and they have had compatible subs for 10 or so years, I would be very surprised if they don't have a submarine delivery capability.

If you note the wording, the indication is that this gives a 'superior' second strike capability. I read that to mean superior to the existing subs, since these have more survivability as a result of being able to stay submerged longer without surfacing or snorkeling.

The only question in my mind is whether the delivery systems can reach Iran from the Med, or whether these are going to need to be based in the Red Sea.

I do wish we could figure out how to get a batch of these (subs, not nukes) to the Republic of China.

[maro]

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

[george76]

I hope that you are correct.

Every year there seems to be many more "youths" in old Europe being terrorists.

This European invasion will be different than the 1400's.

This invasion is millions of muslims pre-positioned before the attacks.