Israel's 5th Dolphin submarine unveiled in Germany, April 29, 2013. Photo: Defense Ministry
Posted on 04/29/2013 3:53:20 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Israel's 5th Dolphin submarine unveiled in Germany
By YAAKOV LAPPIN
'INS Rahav' set to undertake long-range classified missions, can carry missiles armed with nuclear warheads, foreign sources say.
Israel and Germany unveiled the fifth Dolphin-class submarine constructed for the Israel Navy at a ceremony at the German port of Kiel on Monday.
The submarine – called the INS Rahav – is the most expensive defense platform ever purchased by Israel. The vessel is set to undertake several long-range classified missions that are critical for Israel’s security.
The submarine is viewed by the navy as an important “force multiplier” that will enable Israel to cope with threats in the increasingly unstable Middle East region.
According to foreign reports, the navy’s Dolphins also provide Israel with nuclear second-strike capabilities, as they can travel far from Israel’s territorial waters and are reportedly able to carry long-range cruise missiles tipped with nuclear warheads.
Some defense analysts consider the submarines to be a crucial aspect of Israeli nuclear deterrence vis-à-vis Iran.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu welcomed the announcement, calling the submarines “a strong, strategic tool for the IDF.”
“The State of Israel,” said the prime minister, “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 can launch conventional missile attacks on near and distant targets, fire torpedoes at various naval vessels and engage in intelligence-gathering.
The latest Dolphin-class subs can remain submerged longer than their predecessors.
The INS Rahav, together with the INS Tanin – the fourth Dolphin sub, delivered to Israel in 2012 – and the sixth sub, which is still being built, will cost a total of some 1.4 billion Euro ($1.8 billion). The German government is reportedly covering a third of the cost.
Monday’s ceremony was attended by Israel Navy Adm. Ram Rothberg, Defense Ministry director-general Cmdr. (res.) Udi Shani and senior German officials.
The ceremony follows many years of development, and the submarine is expected to arrive at an Israeli port over the coming year. It must undergo further work before it can become operational, said the navy.
“The INS Rahav is one of the most advanced submarines in the world,” said the Defense Ministry in a statement on Monday.
“It is a versatile platform which can adapt to many and varied missions. The fleet of submarines forms a long arm for the [Israel] Navy, the IDF, and the State of Israel,” the ministry said.
All year round, Israel’s submarines engage in vital operations near and far, and under a fog of secrecy, the ministry said.
Herb Keinon contributed to this report.
Israel's 5th Dolphin submarine unveiled in Germany, April 29, 2013. Photo: Defense Ministry
Israel sent (I think two)submarines through the Suez Canal just before Bush left office. It was probably the last opportunity to do so. I haven’t read about them coming back, so I assume they’re being maintained by India and that they patrol the Persian Gulf. I’m fairly certain they can fire cruise missiles, but the only target they could really destroy would be Iran’s oil industry.
Also, Syria bought a top-of-the-line Russian anti aircraft system to protect their rebuilt nuclear plant. But the radars that control the missiles were on 3 Russian ships in the Gulf. If Israel is to conduct any serious bombing in Syria those ships would have to go.
I’m fairly certain they can fire cruise missiles, but the only target they could really destroy would be Iran’s oil industry.
Couldn’t they also hit Mecca and Medina?
One Israeli Dolphin could carry more firepower than the total used in WW2.
I’d guess they carry selectable yield warheads in the 50kt to 1mt range. In addition I speculate they would carry various neutron and conventional warheads for the cruise missiles.
I’d guess they have extra cruise missiles in safe underwater storage since that is the bulky part of the delivery system and store the warheads and a few cruise missiles aboard the sub. If they need more missiles then go get some from storage and mount the warheads.
“Couldn’t they also hit Mecca and Medina?”
The purpose of such an attack? Israel isn’t pariah enough? Seriously, in the first wave you’d only attack priority one targets; those that can hit you. In the second wave you’d go after whatever targets further your longer term agenda; factories, marshaling yards, storage facilities. Perhaps, if you wanted to take out Iran’s ability to do anything at all, you’d hit their oil. No oil, no nukes, no food; no Iran. But taking out religious targets? Israel has its own leftist lunatics and Netanyahu has to hold together a very broad coalition to keep power. What would it gain him compared to the what it loses for him?
I’m sure the IDF has contingency plans that include taking out Mecca.
“I’m sure the IDF has contingency plans that include taking out Mecca.”
Mecca and Medina are in Saudi Arabia. Most likely, Israel as an arrangement with Sunni Saudi Arabia to either help them or sit out any Iranian (Shia) attack. Why would Israel, who is being threatened by everybody BUT Saudi Arabia take on Saudi Arabia?
This is the perfect example of the Muslim saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
Also, why give Islam the moral equivalent of Pearl Harbor? Attacking a city that has no military value but will give your opponent (in the world’s view) the moral high ground would be insane.
“The purpose of such an attack?”
To break their hearts. Wars are won when he enemy loses everything they hold dear, and the fun is gone, and the will to fight is ruined.
Berlin,,, Tokyo,,, Hanoi,,, etc. While a war cannot be won only with such attacks, they have a crucial place. Our modern tactic of only fighting enemy shooters, while reverently avoiding the homes they love is failing.
You cannot simultaneously respect their home, and defeat them.
Mecca and Medina, Islamabad and Kabul, being blasted into nuclear waste would have been the perfect response to 911.
Without a single statement from us, and not a dime of relief.
The world would have got a clear message.
As long as Mecca and Medina are known to be off the list, the Saudis have no reason to stop funding jihad.
Maybe they're in Aqaba?
“who is being threatened by everybody BUT Saudi Arabia take on Saudi Arabia?”
Saudi Arabia is the epicenter and source of Jihad. They provide most of the funding. They are the puppet master and bankers behind the Egyptian, Libyan, and Syrian Wahabbist takeovers. THEY funded Osama and Al Qeida. The understanding being that they can do terror around the world, but must behave inside the kingdom.
No, the Saudis are no friends of Israel, or of the USA,,(except for our congressmen and recent presidents who they purchased, or in Obamas case, paid to have educated)
Spoken like somebody who has spent more time than they care to remember in Saudi, as have I... I personally don't care for them, and were it not for the "sweet crude" they just happen to be sitting atop I believe they'd still be just a stones throw from the dark ages. If the US congresscritters ever realized that "Drill here, Drill now, Pay less" would put an end to the House of Saud and their ransom-hush money to Islamic fundamentalist and the whole of the middle east would collapse.
Better the earth should open her mouth.
Mecca and Medina are in Saudi Arabia. Most likely, Israel as an arrangement with Sunni Saudi Arabia to either help them or sit out any Iranian (Shia) attack. Why would Israel, who is being threatened by everybody BUT Saudi Arabia take on Saudi Arabia?
This is the perfect example of the Muslim saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
Also, why give Islam the moral equivalent of Pearl Harbor? Attacking a city that has no military value but will give your opponent (in the world’s view) the moral high ground would be insane.
I’m sure the IDF has contingency plans that include taking out Mecca.
The Israeli port of Ellat is on the Red Sea. No need to travel the Suez.
Have you ever been there? That port isn’t suitable for submarines due to the restricted access through the Gulf of Aqaba. Nearly anything happening in Eilat can be seen from Aqaba.
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