ISRAEL FITTING NUKE ARMS ON GERMAN-SUPPLIED SUBS: REPORT
PanARMENIAN.Net
June 4, 2012 - 21:02 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - As tensions mount in the Gulf over Iran's nuclear
ambitions, Israel is reported to have armed its new fleet of submarines
supplied by Germany with nuclear tipped cruise missiles, according
to PTI.
Three "Dolphin" class diesel-electric submarines delivered to
Israel recently by the Howaldswerke Deutsche Werft (HDW) shipyard
had been armed with medium-range missiles carrying nuclear warheads,
Der Spiegel magazine reported.
Israel, according to a western estimate, is the Middle East's sole, but
undeclared nuclear-armed power and the reports of its arming the German
acquired submarines with N-warheads may touch off a debate in Germany.
The magazine claimed that Berlin has so far denied that German
submarines were being used as parts of Israeli nuclear arsenal.
"Dolphin" class submarines are reported to be the most sophisticated
conventionally powered submarines in the world. They have the advantage
of remaining submerged for a long time without being detected.
They were originally intended to carry cruise missiles with a range
of 1,500 km, but they can also deliver a 200 KG nuclear payload.
Der Spiegel reported that the nuclear-tipped missiles will be fired
with a hitherto secret hydraulic system. The Dolphins supplied to
Israel by German shipyard HDW are an upgraded version of Type 209
Shishumar class submarine sold to India.
Israel will receive three more "Dolphin" class submarines from the
HDW shipyard till 2017 and it has plans to buy three more submarines,
according to Der Spiegel.
Earlier this year, the German government agreed to provide Israel
135 million euros to finance one-third of the costs for the sixth
submarine.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
PanARMENIAN.Net
June 4, 2012 - 21:02 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - As tensions mount in the Gulf over Iran's nuclear
ambitions, Israel is reported to have armed its new fleet of submarines
supplied by Germany with nuclear tipped cruise missiles, according
to PTI.
Three "Dolphin" class diesel-electric submarines delivered to
Israel recently by the Howaldswerke Deutsche Werft (HDW) shipyard
had been armed with medium-range missiles carrying nuclear warheads,
Der Spiegel magazine reported.
Israel, according to a western estimate, is the Middle East's sole, but
undeclared nuclear-armed power and the reports of its arming the German
acquired submarines with N-warheads may touch off a debate in Germany.
The magazine claimed that Berlin has so far denied that German
submarines were being used as parts of Israeli nuclear arsenal.
"Dolphin" class submarines are reported to be the most sophisticated
conventionally powered submarines in the world. They have the advantage
of remaining submerged for a long time without being detected.
They were originally intended to carry cruise missiles with a range
of 1,500 km, but they can also deliver a 200 KG nuclear payload.
Der Spiegel reported that the nuclear-tipped missiles will be fired
with a hitherto secret hydraulic system. The Dolphins supplied to
Israel by German shipyard HDW are an upgraded version of Type 209
Shishumar class submarine sold to India.
Israel will receive three more "Dolphin" class submarines from the
HDW shipyard till 2017 and it has plans to buy three more submarines,
according to Der Spiegel.
Earlier this year, the German government agreed to provide Israel
135 million euros to finance one-third of the costs for the sixth
submarine.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress