Posted on 07/04/2002 7:51:59 AM PDT by truthandlife
A United States Air Force report asserts that Israel is building a nuclear naval force meant to respond to any nuclear strike by such countries as Iran or Iraq.
It is the first time a U.S. military institution has stated that Israel has produced a hydrogen bomb. The number of purported Israeli nuclear weapons cited in the report is double that of previous assessments.
The report, sponsored by the air force's Counterproliferation Center, asserts that the navy can deploy any of what it asserts is Israel's 400 atomic and hydrogen weapons, Middle East Newsline reported. The center is located in the Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
In a report entitled "The Third Temple's Holy of Holies: Israel's Nuclear Weapons," U.S. Army Col. Warner Farr said Israel's nuclear arsenal has grown from an estimated 13 nuclear bombs in 1967 to 400 nuclear and thermonuclear weapons. Farr said Israel's navy could deploy nuclear weapons on the fleet of three German-built Dolphin-class diesel submarines.
"Israel will then have a second strike capability with nuclear cruise missiles, and this capability could well change the nuclear arms race in the Middle East," the report, which Farr said is based on unclassified sources, read. "Israeli rhetoric on the new submarines labels them 'national deterrent' assets."
The report said these nuclear missiles could have a range of 350 kilometers. Israel would try to base its nuclear naval force near Oman, with which Israel has informal relations, the September 1999 report, which was recently published by the center, said.
"The first basing options for the new second-strike force of nuclear missile capable submarines include Oman, an Arab nation with unofficial Israeli relations, located strategically near Iran," the report said.
The U.S. Air Force Counterproliferation Center was established in 1998. The center is meant to help prepare air force commanders counter the threat from weapons of mass destruction. The report did not deem Israel's purported nuclear arsenal as a direct threat to the United States.
The report said Israel's Defense Ministry has requested from the government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon authorization for a retaliatory nuclear strike. Israel could also use Jordanian air space for a nuclear strike on Iran, which the report said could produce a nuclear warhead as early as 2004.
bttt
——the navy can deploy any of what it asserts is Israel’s 400 atomic and hydrogen weapons, ——
To show Iran what is real and what is possible, an Israeli submarine crept within a few miles of the city of Los Angeles last week and fired a warheadless missile into the air. The contrail was visible to all and the subject of protracted discussion
A secret note was provided to Iran detailing the event
What if the missile off the coast of California was Israeli?
It'd explain why the DoD said the US was never in danger; it'd explain why the Navy didn't go apesh*t; it would explain the direction of the launch; and the non-notification of airlines.
Yes, I *know* Iran is much closer to Israel than that. But if Israel had a long-range sub-based missile, they'd want to test it in a fashion and a place that *didn't* scream "Israel has a long-range option" to all of its foes.
And with longer-range missiles, Israel's sea-based deterrent is "out of range" of Israel's enemies in the Middle East.
(Tin-foil hat adjusted.)
Your thoughts, guys?
Cheers!
More likely South Africa
Thanks for the ping.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.