 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Submarine Proliferation
Israel Current Capabilities
Capabilities | Import | Export
Based at Haifa, the Israeli Navy (IN) currently operates three modern, diesel-electric, Dolphin-class submarines.[1] Two additional Dolphin-class submarines have also been ordered and are scheduled to be delivered before 2012.[1] In December 2003, two of Israel's three decommissioned Gal-class submarines arrived in Kiel for refits and modernization at Germany's Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft.[21] Although the original plan was to recommission the Gal-class, it was later decided to search for a potential buyer. When none was found, one of the boats, INS Gal, was returned to Israel and placed on exhibit at the Haifa Naval Museum where it remains today.[2]
As previous conflicts involving Israel began with naval blockades, Israel's submarine force is viewed as critical to national security. It is intended to exercise sea control over the Eastern Mediterranean and secure sea lines of communication; Israel is dependent on imports of grain, crude oil, and raw materials.[20,3]
Given Arab-Israeli tensions, and the alleged development of WMD capacities by some of its neighbors, Israel increasingly has been devoting funding toward countering these threats.[3] Acknowledging Israel's lack of strategic depth, its officials have pointed out that only submarines can provide a secure weapons platform in the future.[20] While HDW has stated that Israel's Dolphin-class submarines were equipped with weapon systems similar to those installed on other diesel-electric submarines,[4] various sources have reported that upon their arrival in Israel, the submarines were modified, and fitted with cruise missiles armed with nuclear warheads.[5]
Some reports suggest that Israel has adapted Harpoon cruise missiles, which have a range of 130 kilometers, to carry an indigenously developed nuclear warhead and guidance system, though other experts argue that such modifications to a Harpoon missile are not feasible.[6] Others believe that Israel has developed an indigenous cruise missile with a range of 320 kilometers that is believed to be a version of Rafael Armament Development Authority's Popeye turbo cruise missile.[7] Still others believe that the missile may be a version of the Gabriel 4LR that is produced by Israel Aircraft Industries. Once encapsulated, it could be launched in 533mm torpedo tubes similar to the Harpoon.[8] Such speculation was further fueled by an unconfirmed test of a nuclear-capable, submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM) in the Indian Ocean in 2000. Some reports claimed targets 1,500 kilometers away were hit.[7,9] Such a range, however, implies an entirely new type of missile.[7,8,10] However, the Israeli Defense Forces denies any such missile tests.[7,11]
In June 2002, former State Department and Pentagon officials confirmed that the U.S. Navy observed Israeli missile tests in the Indian Ocean in 2000, and that the Dolphin-class vessels have been fitted with nuclear-capable cruise missiles of a new design.[8] Israel issued new denials, albeit in an indirect manner.[9] In October 2003, unidentified senior U.S. and Israeli officials were quoted as saying that Israel had successfully modified nuclear warheads to fit its Harpoon missiles.[12]
Whatever the missile currently arming Israel's Dolphin-class submarines, it seems clear that Israel is interested in the acquisition of new cruise missiles. Its request for U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles was rejected by the Clinton administration in 2000, since such a sale would have violated the Missile Technology Control Regime, which prohibits the transfer of missiles with a range exceeding 300 kilometers.[5] However, it is likely only a matter of time before Israel is capable of mounting nuclear weapons on its submarine-launched missiles, if it has not done so already.
Therefore, it is no surprise that the arming of Israel's submarines has received a great deal of attention. The three initial Dolphin-class submarines were designed in accordance with Israeli demands, and include a "wet and dry" compartment for special operations as well as four 650mm torpedo tubes, which could be used for Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDVs).[13] However, the German Defense Ministry has stated that these larger tubes were intended to fire Harpoons. Upon delivery to Israel, liners were to be fitted to decrease the diameter of the tubes to accommodate the 533mm Harpoon containers. However, the Dolphin-class is equipped with six 533mm torpedo tubes as well, which are capable of launching Harpoons.[14] It seems possible, therefore, that the 650mm tubes might have been designed to accommodate indigenously built, long-range SLCMs. The German government has acknowledged that it could not rule out different equipment being installed on the submarines.[15]
The modernized Dolphin-class combines a conventional diesel led-acid battery system and an air-independent propulsion system (AIP) which makes the vessel extremely quiet and allows it to remain submerged for up to a week without surfacing. [22, 23] It is said to have a maximum speed of 20 knots, and a range of 4,500km. [22,24] The new boats will be equipped with 650mm torpedo tubes—again leading to much speculation that the Israelis intend to outfit the submarines with nuclear-armed cruise missiles.[19]
Before obtaining the Dolphins, the IN depended upon three Gal-class submarines, designed by Germany for Israel, and constructed at the Vickers Shipyard in the United Kingdom in 1973-77. The Gal-class is a modified Type 206A coastal submarine. The Gals were decommissioned when the Dolphins were commissioned into the IN, and Israel had planned to sell the vessels. However, no buyer was found and instead one of the boats was returned to Israel where it is currently being exhibited at the Haifa Naval Museum.[2]
In November 2005, outgoing German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder approved the sale of two modernized Dolphin-class submarines to Israel for a total cost of $1.27 billion. A third of the cost will be financed by the German government. [18] The two vessels are currently being built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) at the Kiel shipyard in Germany and are due to be delivered to the IN by 2012. Reports also suggest that Israel is now considering the purchase of a sixth Dolphin-class submarine from Germany - heightening speculation that it seeks to maintain a continued submarine presence in the Persian Gulf. [26]
|
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: "'Dolphin' class," Submarine and submersible designs, Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems online edition, http://juws.janes.com, August 21, 2003 Israeli Defense Forces Web Site, www.idf.il. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Sources:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| ACTIVE DUTY SUBMARINES | ||||||
| Name (Number) | Class | Base | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned |
| Dolphin | Dolphin | Haifa | HDW,TNSW | 1994 | 1996 | 1999 |
| Leviathan | Dolphin | Haifa | HDW,TNSW | 1995 | 1997 | 1999 |
| Tekuma | Dolphin | Haifa | HDW,TNSW | 1996 | 1998 | 2000 |
| Unknown | Dolphin
type U212 |
Haifa | HDW | 2006 | N/A | N/A |
| Unknown | Dolphin type U212 | Haifa | HDW | 2006 | N/A | N/A |
Sources:
|
||||||
Sources:
[1] "Vertäge 1981-2008," Howaldstwerke-Deutsche Werft, www.hdw.de.
[2] "Israel: Military Gal," Global Security Network, www.globalsecurity.com.
[3] David Rodman, "Israel's national security doctrine: an introductory overview," Middle East Review of International Affairs, September 2001; in "Academic views evolution of Israel's national security doctrine," FBIS Document GMP20011009000010.
[4] Douglas Frantz, "Israel Extends Nuclear Weapons Capability," Los Angeles Times, October 11, 2003; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
[5] "Popeye Turbo," www.israeli.weapons.com.
[6] Michael Nitz, "First Dolphins move in on Israeli Navy," International Defense Review, Vol. 32, No. 9, September 1, 1999.
[7] Ed Blanche, "Israel denies sub-launched missile tests," Jane's Missile and Rockets, August 1, 2000.
[8] "Gabriel," Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems, August 28, 2003.
[9] Uzi Mahnaimi and Matthew Campbell, "Israel Makes Nuclear Waves with Submarine Missile Test," Sunday Times, June 18, 2000; in "UK weekly details Israel's secret cruise missile test," FBIS Document EUP20000618000010.
[10] Norman Friedman, "Israelis test sub-launched cruise missile," United States Naval Institute Proceedings, August 2000, Vol. 126, No. 2, pp. 6-7; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company,
http://proquest.umi.com.
[11] Dani Shalom, "IDF denies testing cruise missile launch from submarine,"
Hatzofe, June 19, 2000; in "IDF spokesman - Sunday Times' cruise missile
launch report 'totally unfounded'," FBIS Document GMP20000619000070.
[12] Douglas Frantz, "Israel adds fuel to nuclear dispute," Los Angeles Times,
October 12, 2003.
[13] Interview with Israel Navy Commander Major General Alex Tal by Alex
Fishman, "If Israel wants to hide anything--it will be at sea," Yedi'ot
Aharonot, December 31, 1999; in "Israel: outgoing Navy Chief on subs, Syria,
Mediterranean," FBIS Document TA0201154800.
[14] Hubert Wetzel, "Delfin mit übergrossem Kanonenrohr," Süddeutsche Zeitung,
September 1, 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
[15] "Nuclear armament with German help," Der Spiegel, October 30, 2000;
in "Germany proves 'massive support' to Israel's nuclear weapons program," FBIS
Document EUP20001030000465.
[16] Amos Harel, "Navy eyes 2 new Dolphin submarines," Ha'aretz, February
19, 2003; in "Israeli Navy hoping US, Germany to fund purchase of another 2
Dolphin submarines," FBIS Document GMP20030219000084.
[17] A.D. Baker III, "World's Navies Are in Decline," US Naval
Institute Proceedings, Vol. 130, No. 3 (March 2004), p. 32; in ProQuest
Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com.
[18] German Government Approves Sale of Submarines to Israel," Der
Spiegel, November 20, 2005; in FBIS Document EUP20051120014001.
[19] Hinnerk Berlekamp, "U-Boote Atomwaffenträger für Israel?" Berliner
Zeitung, January 30, 2006; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
[20] Interview with Israel Navy Commander Major General Alex Tal by Alex Fishman, "If Israel wants to hide anything-it will be at sea," Yedi'ot Aharonot , 31 December 1999, in "Israel: outgoing Navy Chief on subs, Syria Mediterranean," FBIS Document TA0201154800.
[21] A.D. Baker III, "World's Navies Are in Decline," US Naval Institute Proceedings, Vol. 130, No. 3 (March 2004), p. 32, in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest umi.com.
[22] Yakov Katz, "Exclusive Israel Buys 2 German subs," The Jerusalem Post" 23 August 2006, www.jpost.com
[23] Ramit Plushnick-Masti, "Israel Buys 2 Nuclear-Capable Submarines," The Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com.
[24] Manlio Dinucci, "Israel, Iran in Dolphin's cross hairs, War game in Red Sea," Center for Research on Globalization, www.globalresearch.ca.
[25] "Germany Sells Israel More Dolphoin Subs," Defense Industry Daily, 11 January 2010, www.defenseindustrydaily.com
[26] "Israel Could Purchase Sixth Nuclear-Capable Sub," Global Security Newswier, Nuclear Threat Initiative, 19 January 2010, http://gsn.nti.org.
This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2010 by MIIS.
