| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1640 surfaced 1,720-1900 [est] submerged |
| Propulsion | Diesel-electric 3 diesels, 1 shaft, 4,243 shp |
| Length | 57.3 m (188ft) |
| Beam | 6.8 m (22.6ft) |
| Draft | 6.2 m (20.5ft) |
| Height | 12.7 m |
| Speed | 20 knots submerged 11 knots snorkeling |
| Sonar | PRS-3 passive ranging sonar |
| Operating Depth | Deeper than 200m (600 feet) |
| Armament |
|
| Crew | 35 |
| Range | 4500 miles at 8 knots |
| Provision | More than one month |
In addition, it is generally understood, based on tests the Israelis performed in 2000 in the Indian Ocean, that these subs also a new Israeli carry cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warhead. Ranges estimated between 1500 and 2000 km.
The reported range of 1,500 km for the SLCM tested in May 2000 is several times greater than the previously reported range for the Popeye Turbo. However, the Popeye Turbo is a poorly attested missile, and the open literature provides little information on this system. Indeed, because of the small size of the vehicle and the limited testing program to date, it is entirely possible that even the US intelligence community has only limited insight into the capabilities of this system. There is no particular reason to doubt that Israel could develop a variant of the Popeye Turbo with a range of 1,500 km, simply by lengthening the fuel tank associated with a 300-350 km variant reported by US intelligence. At present it is not possible to determine whether the US intelligence has under-estimated the range of this missile, or whether news reports have over-estimated the missile's range. The longer range reported in June 2000 is certainly consistent with Israeli targeting requirements.
These are the “old” Dolphin class submarines, the new ones with the (Siemens?) AIP should have vastly improved operational capabilities. Germany’s own type 212A submarines (using a different hull, but similar engines) have a range of 8,000 miles and an endurance of 12 weeks (3 without snorkeling).