Israel’s new attack submarines nearing completion at German shipyard

Israel’s newest version of its Dolphin-class submarine, which is quieter than the nuclear-powered engines on American and Russian submarines, is nearing completion at Germany’s hyssenKrupp Marine Systems shipyards in Kiel.

 Three Dolphin II-class submarines, which Real Clear Defense called “part attack submarine, part nuclear strike ship and part commando taxi,” are undergoing trials in Germany before heading to the Mediterranean.

 When complete, analysts believe that the Dolphin II-class submarines will carry nuclear-tipped Popeye Turbo cruise missiles, although the Israeli government has not admitted to such claims, Real Clear Defense reported.

New Israeli submarines can’t be ‘solely for defensive purposes’

The delivery of a fifth Dolphin-class submarine to Israel from Germany is a worrying “ratcheting up” of tensions in the Middle East, according to two leading anti-nuclear campaigners.

The deployment of INS Rahav, allegedly capable of launching cruise missiles with nuclear warheads, to the Israeli navy has set off a number of worrying alarm bells, Jeremy Corbyn, the British MP and deputy head of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament tells RT.

“It’s very hard to see how these submarines that Germany is supplying to Israel can be solely for defensive purposes, because there is no sea-based threat to Israel and Israel needs to get on board with the rest of the region and talk peace and talk about the signature they’ve already given to the Mediterranean weapons of Mass Destruction free zone. The delivery of these submarines is yet one more ratcheting up of the danger.”

He explained that Israel already has the ability to launch nuclear weapons whether on missiles or from bombs on airplanes and these submarines could also be used – if converted – to deliver nuclear weapons.

Corbyn questioned why Germany is paying a very large amount of money to Israel’s defense costs by subsidizing the development and delivery of these submarines.

“One just wonders if this isn’t part of a wider European military involvement in North Africa and the Middle East region. It is a very bad day for the development of a peace process across the Middle East,” said Corbyn.

His thoughts were echoed by Bruce Gagnon, an anti-nuclear campaigner based in Maine in the US. 

 

He told RT that he fails to see how the fleet of new German submarines can be only for defensive purposes and believes they are for projecting power across the region and may be part of a larger global strategy to expand NATO.

He also believes that it will be impossible to make any advances on nuclear disarmament when Israel and the US refuse to admit that Israel has nuclear weapons.

“The international community must continue to shine a light on Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons, something they don’t want to talk about, something the US doesn’t want to talk about,” said Gagnon.

As well as Israel flouting international opinion by developing 200 nuclear warheads, responsibility also lies with the officials who run and oversee the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, explained Corbyn.

“The NPT have been very dilatory in their behavior in setting up a nuclear weapons conference for the Middle East,” he said.

Israel gets 5th German submarine

Vessel is expected to reach Israel only in 2013; Germany approved sale of sixth submarine, expected to arrive in Israel by 2017

An official ceremony was held in the German city of Kiel Monday to mark the handover of a fifth submarine to Israel's Navy. The ceremony was attended by Defense Ministry Director Udi Shani, Navy Commander Gen. Ram Rotenberg and other Israeli officials, along with their German counterparts.

In May 2011, a special ministerial committee decided to accept the recommendations of Defense Minister Ehud Barak , who promoted its purchase. Israel already operates four Dolphine-class submarines.  

The vessel is due a process of further development overseen by the Defense Ministry in collaboration with the Navy. It is expected to reach Israel within several months and dock at the Haifa Port.

"Rahav" is considered one of the most advanced submarines in the world and is the most expensive war vessel Ministry of Defense has procured for the IDF . The diesel-powered submarines are widely regarded as an Israeli vanguard against foes like Iran.

 

Last year the German government approved the sale of a sixth submarine, which is expected to arrive in Israel by 2017.

Israel mulls purchasing 4 South Korean warships

A South Korean Incheon class frigate

 Israel has voiced enthusiasm in purchasing four frigates from South Korea and plans to send a team of its officials to Seoul next month to pursue a potential deal.

"Israel recently expressed an interest to buy four frigates," Yonhap news agency quoted an official at South Korean’s state-run weapons procurement agency, Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), as saying Saturday on condition of anonymity.

The 1,400-ton frigates under negotiation with Israel are said to be priced at about US$100 million each.

South Korea offered to build warships for the Israeli navy after it lost a bid to sell Israel T-50 fighter trainer jets earlier this year.

A team of representatives from the South Korean government and Hyundai Shipyards visited Tel Aviv in April to discuss a deal aimed at building frigates for the Israeli navy.

There are reports that Hyundai would sell Israel the vessels, and that various Israeli defense industries would install locally-made systems on board, including radar and Barak anti-missile system.

Some of the work could be done by the Israel Shipyards in the city of Haifa, located about 90 kilometers (56 miles) north of Tel Aviv.

Israeli Navy pledges to stop Gaza-bound ship

The ship called ‘the Estelle’ is expected to reach Gaza within two weeks time.

The Israeli Navy is preparing to intercept the latest Gaza-bound ship carrying European pro-Palestinian activists who are expected to reach Gaza in two weeks time.

An Israeli military source confirmed that the navy had carried out general preparations for future ships filled with activists. The Estelle, sailing under a Swedish flag, set sail in June and has stopped at numerous European ports trying to drum up support and publicity.

Israel will not allow the vessel to reach Gaza, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Oct. 2, Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post reported yesterday. Her remarks came after the organizers of the flotilla announced they had received clearance in La Spezia, Italy, to set sail and were expected to reach Gaza within two weeks.

“This is the same old, same old … The organizers know that they are not going to be allowed to reach Gaza, and are just trying to make noise,” Ilana Stein said of the Estelle, adding that Israel was not overly concerned about the matter.

In May 2010, several aid ships trying to run Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip were halted by Israeli naval commandos, who killed nine pro-Palestinian Turks aboard Mavi Marmara, one of the vessels. A second convoy, planned a year later, did not sail after the organizers said they had been sabotaged.

Mattias Gardell, a spokesperson for the group set to fill the Estelle, said: “It will send a message of non-violence. If they have a choice, we hope the Israel won’t do anything when we come toward Gaza.”

Israeli ships conduct live-fire drill in Aegean

Israeli warships have conducted a live-ammunition exercise for the first time in the Aegean Sea, Yorgo Kırbaki of daily Hürriyet reported today.

Two Israeli warships, one a Sa'ar 5 and the other a Sa'ar 4.5, conducted firing exercises with live ammunition south of Hydra island within Greek national waters.

The Greek Navy did not take part in the drill in compliance with a moratorium it signed with Turkey. The exercise took place near the Karavia rocks off the eastern coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula, quite far from Turkish coastal border.

Greece and Turkey agreed in 1998 not to conduct military exercises in the Aegean during the summer tourism season between June 15 and Sept. 15.

Israeli Navy Ensures Operational Readiness of Its Vessels

One of the Navy's most advanced submarines underwent maintenance and was "sent out to sea to carry out incredible missions" in an official ceremony

Routine maintenance of one of the Israeli Navy's most advanced vessels, the Tanin (Crocodile) submarine, was completed this week in a special ceremony. Famous worldwide for its capability to adapt to a wide variety of missions, the submarine was returned to the sea and to routine operational activity. The Israeli Navy invests in the maintenance of its vessels so as to ensure operational readiness and continues preparations to receive additional submarines.

Submarines are deployed for military use for 30 years, and undergo reparations and maintenance treatments every 15 years. The treatment is beneficial to the normal operation of the submarines, which are constantly active. During the treatment, which lasts 22 months, the submarine is completely disassembled, enabling for an extremely thorough repair. "We take apart the submarines, work on them, clean them and repaint," explained Lt. Col. A, commander of the submarine maintenance squad.

"An extremely limited number of militaries possess the knowledge and necessary capabilities to carry out such a repair and even fewer navies perform these treatments," explained commander of the submarine flotilla, Col. G. "The goal is to take apart the submarine and after almost two years put it back together, return it to the sea, and sail. You are the ones who completed this difficult task and I thank you for your high-quality work. Today the Tanin submarine goes out to sea to carry out incredible operations."

The submarine underwent thorough assessments at sea, and after receiving approval from the Israeli Navy Commander, went out to sea.

Maintaining vessels and preparing to receive three additional submarines requires additional manpower, and the Israeli Navy is preparing accordingly. "We must change our perception and fortify our manpower, in order to increase availability of submarines at sea," said dock commander, Col. Eli Shuach at the ceremony. Dozens of soldiers and workers are expected to arrive at the dock, expediting operation.

Israeli Navy to stage drills in coordination with Greece

The Israeli Navy is set to hold exercises using live ammunition off Greece’s Aegean island of Milos on July 18 with the cooperation of – but no participation from – the Greek military, Greek media have reported.

Only Israeli warships will be involved in the shooting exercise, while coordination and monitoring will be performed by radar located on nearby Mt. Parnitha.

No information was available about the type or number of ships Israel will use during the military exercises.

A NAVTEX, or navigational telex, has already been issued to ships and airplanes in the area regarding the exercises which will be using live fire.

Turkey had been a close ally of Israel, but the countries’ relations hit rock-bottom after Israel stormed a Turkish-led aid flotilla to Gaza two years ago, killing nine Turkish activists.

Russia, Israel turn up heat in Mediterranean Sea

Russia and Israel became the latest powers after NATO’s naval deployments in the eastern Mediterranean Sea last week amid the continuing crisis over last month’s downing of a Turkish jet by the Syrian forces, with Moscow upping the ante by announcing the deployment of a destroyer to the region.

Russia has sent a naval flotilla of six warships, led by an anti-submarine destroyer, to its naval base at the Syrian port of Tartus, while Israel is separately preparing to boost the strength of its naval forces in the eastern Mediterranean in order to protect the country’s energy investments there, Israeli media reported.

Russia has also dispatched the destroyer-class warship Smetlivy, which patroled the waters off the coast of Syria in April and May, to Syria. The ship was seen leaving the Black Sea port of Sevastopol yesterday morning. “The Smetlivy is leaving for Syria today. ... The vessel is expected to reach the Turkish straits tomorrow morning,” the Navy source said on condition of anonymity.

The Admiral Chabanenko and three landing craft have left their home port of Severomorsk in the Arctic Circle on their way to the Mediterranean, where they will be joined by the Russian patrol ship Yaroslav Mudry as well as an assistance vessel, a source told Interfax agency.

Separately, four Russian warships passed the Dardanelles and sailed into the Aegean Sea yesterday, according to Doğan news agency. Turkish coastguard boats accompanied the four vessels, the Nikolai Filchenkov, the Caesar Kunikov, Caktarz and the SB-5, the report said. “The program of the voyage includes a call in the Syrian port of Tartus,” the unnamed source told the news agency in reference to the Chabanenko and accompanying vessels.

The source said the trip was being conducted in line with plans to ensure the Russian fleet’s military readiness. According to Interfax, the source insisted that the deployment “was not linked to the escalation of the situation in Syria.”

Interfax quoted a military source as saying the ships were carrying marines on a training mission as well as food, water and fuel for Russia’s naval maintenance and repair base in Syria’s Mediterranean port of Tartus.

$1 billion plan

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief of General Staff Gen. Benny Gantz have proposed a plan to increase the number of vessels and soldiers in the area. The plan seeks to add four new warships to the Israeli Navy while also deploying more troops in the area and utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles for patrol duties.

The $1 billion plan reportedly aims to protect Israel’s off-shore natural gas platforms in the eastern Mediterranean from “terrorist attacks.” Israel is currently running a limited patrol duty with five warships.

The burden on the Navy is likely to increase when the platforms start to pump natural gas in 2012. Joint gas exploration by Israel and Greek Cyprus has raised tensions between Turkey and the two countries. Ankara responded to the exploration by sending warships and a gas exploration vessel of its own, straining ties even further.

The moves came after a key NATO maritime group began flexing its muscles in the Mediterranean as it set off from Istanbul last week with a mission to combat terrorism in the sea. The Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 will conduct its mission in the eastern Mediterranean at a time of increased tensions in the area.