Israel adds 2 nuclear-capable submarines

AP via Yahoo News ^ | 8/24/06 | Ramit Plushnick-Masti

[Wolfstar]

By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI, Associated Press Writer
45 minutes ago

JERUSALEM - With the purchase of two more German-made Dolphin submarines capable of carrying nuclear warheads, military experts say Israel is sending a clear message to Iran that it can strike back if attacked by nuclear weapons.

The purchases come at a time when Iran is refusing to bow to growing Western demands to halt its nuclear program, and after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

The new submarines, built at a cost of $1.3 billion with Germany footing one-third of the bill, have propulsion systems that allow them to remain submerged for longer periods of time than the three nuclear-capable submarines already in Israel's fleet, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The latest submarines not only would be able to carry out a first strike should Israel choose to do so, but they also would provide Israel with crucial second-strike capabilities, said Paul Beaver, a London-based independent defense analyst.

Israel is already believed to have that ability in the form of the Jericho-1 and Jericho-2 nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, which are buried so far underground they would survive a nuclear strike, he said.

"The Iranians would be very foolish if they attacked Israel," Beaver said.

German officials have said the contract for the new submarines was signed on July 6, and the Jerusalem Post reported this week the subs will be operational shortly.

[Wolfstar]

Paul Beaver, the London-based independent defense analyst quoted for this article, went on to say that the technology on the subs makes them undetectable. The subs, he said, are very well-built, very well-prepared, have lots of defensive and other modern equipment, and they are one of the best conventional submarines available.

[Continental Soldier]

The clock is ticking...

[msnimje]

Ask President Im-a-dinner-jacket, "How do you say "ZOT" in Persian?"

[SampleMan]

What are they proposing as a deliver device of a nuke from these subs? It would have to be a fairly small cruise missile, which means they would have to be in the Persian Gulf.

[null and void]

"The Iranians would be very foolish if they attacked Israel," Beaver said.

Foolish? Maybe that too...

[Brian Allen]

Interesting that both Israel, to be expected -- and Germany, surprise! surprise! -- chose that date to send the mad mullahs and their Hitler-redux frontsmaniac such a clear message.

[kress]

Not really. They don't have to get to the Persian Gulf. The Popeye Turbo cruise missile is reported of having a range of at least 1,500 kilometers (around 930 statute miles).

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/israel/missile/popeye-t.htm

[Wolfstar]

What are they proposing as a deliver device of a nuke from these subs? It would have to be a fairly small cruise missile, which means they would have to be in the Persian Gulf.

The article didn't say specifically, although I doubt very seriously that Israel would have much trouble buying the necessary missiles from us. They may already have them. Notice the article says they are ADDING two new subs. Israel already has three older nuclear-capable subs.

[kellynla]

someone remind me how many American tax dollars are given to Israel every year...
and what's wrong with our submarines???

[null and void]

Yep. The Persian gulf is full of water, last I checked...

(BTW, interesting sentence structure, may I ask what is your mother tongue?) I'm guessing Farsi...

[Wolfstar]

Yahoo caption: In this image released by the Israeli Defense Force the crew of [one of] Israel's Dolphin submarine[s], stand on deck during a ceremony, Sunday, July 25, 1999 between Crete and Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea, commemorating the 69 crew members of the Israeli submarine Dakar which sank here in 1968. With the purchase of two more German-made Dolphin submarines, Israel is sending a clear message to Iran that it can strike back if attacked by nuclear weapons, military experts said Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006.

[Wolfstar]

Interesting that both Israel, to be expected -- and Germany, surprise! surprise! -- chose that date to send the mad mullahs and their Hitler-redux frontsmaniac such a clear message.

By European standards, the new German chancellor is a conservative. She is much more friendly to both Israel and the U.S. than her slimy predecessor.

[Brian Allen]

<< Ask President Im-a-dimmwitwhackjob, "How do you say "ZOT" in (Farsi)?" >>

"ZOT!"

And/or "Goodnight, Dick."

[dennisw]

My understanding is there are cruise missiles on board that can carry a nuke 75 miles. Tehran might be out of range. Same for Natanz

[24-7Freeper]

"Ha!...We will have atomic breakthrough soon, you'll see!"

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

What are they proposing as a deliver device of a nuke from these subs? It would have to be a fairly small cruise missile, which means they would have to be in the Persian Gulf.

Probably Popeye Turbo.

[Brian Allen]

<< By European standards, the new German chancellor is a conservative. >>

By Europeon standards, she is indeed.

Good on her.

[groovejedi]

Are they flight ready? Cuz if not, they don't hold a candle to Iran's flying boat/plane thingy...

[bruinbirdman]

"What are they proposing as a deliver device of a nuke from these subs? "

Believe me, the Israelis have already thought of that. But they aren't going to tell anyone.

yitbos

[Wolfstar]

someone remind me how many American tax dollars are given to Israel every year...and what's wrong with our submarines???

I'm sure FReeper Navy types can let us know for certain, but I think it has nothing to do with which subs are better. I think it has to do with size, plus these Dolphin subs are not nuke powered.

I'm not sure we're building new subs these days, but if we are, we're building big, ocean-going nuclear-powered boats. Israel doesn't need that type of sub.