Abstract:
According to Israel defense sources, Israel conducted cruise missile tests off the coast of Sri Lanka in May 2000. The Israeli-made missiles, equipped with conventional warheads, were launched from German-built Dolphin-class submarines. These cruise missiles, which are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, hit targets at sea at a range of approximately 930 miles.

Israel reportedly intends to equip its three Dolphin-class submarines with four cruise missiles each. According to Israeli sources, the submarines will give Israel a crucial third pillar of nuclear defense to complement its land and air forces.[1] One submarine would be deployed to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, the other in the Mediterranean Sea. The third submarine would remain on stand-by. The missiles could only be launched with the approval of the prime minister, defense minister, chief of staff of the army, and the commander of the navy.

On 26 June 2000, Sri Lanka's foreign ministry issued a statement denying the Israeli cruise missile test.[2] "The defense ministry has confirmed that no such testing has taken place within Sri Lanka's territorial waters or the exclusive economic zone."[2]

An Israeli defense ministry spokeswoman also denied the report that appeared in the Sunday Times, "The information is just not right," she said.[2]

Supporting Sources:

[1] Uzi Mahnaimi and Matthew Campbell, "Israel makes nuclear waves with submarine missile test," Sunday Times (London), 18 June 2000, http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/ news/pages/sti/2000/06/18/stignmid01002.html>.

[2] "Sri Lanka Denies Israel Cruise Missile Tests," AFP, 26 June 2000; in FBIS Document SAP20000626000070, 26 June 2000.

[3] "It Conducted Secret Tests to Launch Them From Submarines Near Sri Lanka- Israel Deploys Nuclear Submarines in the Red Sear and the Mediterranean Sea," Al-Ittihad (UAE), 18 June 2000, http://www.alittihad.co.ae.