By 2000s the latest diesel-electric submarines on the market all had AIP so it was natural for Israel to fit it to her submarines, especially if they are indeed tasked with nuclear deterrence. The respected Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz reported June 8 that Israeli military planners want to mount nuclear-armed cruise missiles on the new submarines. The submarine … While matters pertaining to Israel’s purchase of German submarines are central to the corruption case involving former senior Israeli officials and officers, the subs themselves are very important to the Jewish state’s military security. In the 1960's it is believed that Israeli "Operation Samson" was in fact a top secret mission to develop a nuclear missile with France 's assistance using German reparration funds. According to the Times report, one submarine had been sent over Israeli fears that ballistic missiles developed by Iran, and in the possession of Syria and Hezbollah, could be used to hit strategic sites within Israel, such as air bases and missile launchers. Thus the German-built submarines are believed to be the backbone of the Israeli nuclear deterrent against Iran. Now SPIEGEL has learned that Israel is arming the submarines with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. “The submarines are a strong, strategic tool for the IDF. Israeli and American officials have admitted collaborating to deploy US-supplied Harpoon cruise missiles armed with nuclear warheads in Israel's fleet of Dolphin-class submarines. The lack of a secure second-strike capability would support the argument that Israel relies on a credible minimum deterrent. Key Point: Originally purchased from Germany, the submarines are now the cornerstone of Israeli defense.. Israel’s submarine corps is a tiny force with a big open secret: in all likelihood, it is armed with nuclear weapons. The submarine surfaced opposite the … Even if these submarines were nuclear-capable or could be retrofitted for a nuclear purpose, that would not confirm that Israel would or could keep one nuclear submarine continuously deployed at-sea. The military objected to ordering so many submarines and viewed the commitment to six subs as too heavy a burden on its future budget. As Peres, who led the nuclear program and later served as prime minister and president of Israel, said in 1998: “We have built a nuclear option, not in order to have a Hiroshima, but to have an Oslo,” referring both to the first U.S. nuclear bomb drop in World War II and Israel’s efforts to reach a peace deal with Palestinians. Mounting nuclear cruise missiles on submarines at sea would give Israel a credible capability to retaliate against a pre-emptive nuclear attack, the sources said. New footage from the Israeli Navy showcases the most advanced submarine in the IDF's arsenal: the Dolphin-class INS Tanin (Crocodile).. "In Israel, you have one known nuclear target for monitoring, which is the Dimona reactor. A German shipyard has already built three submarines for Israel, and three more are planned. TEL AVIV: An Israeli Dolphin submarine possibly carrying nuclear weapons crossed the Suez Canal last week on its way to the Persian Gulf, sources here confirmed on Dec 22. A secretive Israeli nuclear facility is said to be undergoing what appears to be its biggest construction project in several decades, ... fighter jets or submarines. A secretive Israeli nuclear facility at the center of the nation's undeclared atomic weapons program is undergoing what appears to be its biggest construction project ... fighter jets or submarines. Israel’s submarine corps is a tiny force with a big open secret: in all likelihood, it is armed with nuclear weapons. Israel is to deploy three submarines equipped with nuclear cruise missiles in the Persian Gulf, the Sunday Times reported on Sunday. An Israeli submarine was observed crossing the Suez Canal into the Red Sea on Tuesday, an indication of escalating tensions with Iran. As dangerous enemies arm themselves with missiles that can strike anywhere, the strategic value of a submarine fleet continues to rise. Nuclear submarines are very expensive and not needed when your navy is operating close to home. A nuclear-powered US submarine has passed through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf in an apparent threat to Iran, while an Israeli sub reportedly made a similar excursion into the Red Sea. Photo courtesy of Nuclear Threat Initiative An Israeli nuclear submarine crossed the Suez Canal last week in a show of force against Iran, the Kan public broadcaster reported on Monday night. [22] Yaakov Katz, "Israel Gets Fourth Sub from Germany," Jerusalem Post, 4 May 2012, www.lexisnexis.com; Yaakov Katz, "J'lem and Berlin Sign Contract for Sixth Submarine," the Jerusalem Post, 5 February 2012, www.jpost.com; "Operation Samson: Israel's Deployment of Nuclear Missiles on Submarines from Germany," Der Spiegel, 4 June 2012, www.spiegel.de; Douglas Frantz, "Israel adds … In a message to Iran, an Israeli nuclear submarine crossed the Suez Canal last week, Kan News reported on Monday night. Israel and Germany have begun top echelon political and security negotiations of the purchase of new Dolphin class submarines. Israeli Subs Headed for Gulf Israel allegedly has deployed a permanent nuclear submarine presence in the Persian Gulf to keep an eye on Iran. Germany has not built any nuclear submarines. A secretive Israeli nuclear facility at the center of the nation's undeclared atomic weapons program is undergoing what appears to be its biggest construction project in decades, satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press show. Israel is planning to permanently station a submarine carrying nuclear cruise missiles in the Persian Gulf, the Sunday Times reported on Sunday. Netanyahu accepted the military’s view and decided that Israel would buy only three submarines, with an option for three more. The State of Israel is ready to act anytime, anywhere – on land, sea and air – in order to ensure the security of Israel's citizens,” Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said according to Associated Press. Since 1991 Germany has delivered five Dolphin submarines that can be used to carry nuclear missiles to Israel, and the Germans are a major supplier of Israeli arms and weaponry. The Israeli submarines are made in Germany. Military sources in Tel Aviv revealed that the Israeli army sent a number of submarines, warships and forces from the Naval Commando unit to the Red Sea, raising alert level over possible Iranian move to avenge the assassinations of Quds Force commander Major General Qassem Soleimani and nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. Outwardly the Dolphin-II is simply a Dolphin Class boat with a large 'plug in' section added behind the sail to … The five Dolphin-class submarines represent an ace in the hole for Israel, the ultimate guarantor of the country’s security, ensuring that if attacked with nukes, the tiny nation can strike back in … So you would think that anything that they wanted to keep under the radar would be kept under the radar.” In the 1960s, Israel used its claims about adversary Egypt’s missile and nuclear efforts to divert attention from its work at Dimona — and may choose to do the same with Iran now. A long-secretive Israeli nuclear facility that gave birth to its undeclared atomic weapons program is undergoing what appears to be its biggest construction project ... fighter jets or submarines. One of Israel's Dolphin-class nuclear submarines S OTT, 14 May, 2019 The 2,400 ton Dolphin 2 model is based on the state-of-the-art Type 212 submarine, which features Air-Independent Propulsion technology and swim faster at twenty-five knots. A secretive Israeli nuclear facility at the centre of the nation's undeclared atomic weapons programme is undergoing what appears to be its biggest construction ... fighter jets or submarines.