Israel Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ram Rotberg and Ministry of Defense director general Udi Shani today launched the new Dolphin submarine at Kiel Port in Germany. The submarine, named "INS Rahav", will cost $500 million, one third of which will be financed by Germany. The INS Rahav is the most expensive item ever procured by the Ministry of Defense.
The INS Rahav will arrive in Israel in one year, after completing tests and is declared operational.
The Navy and Ministry of Defense said that the INS Rahav is one of the most advanced submarines in the world, and that its long-range secret mission capability would extend the IDF's operational capabilities. According to the foreign media, the Dolphin-class submarines can also carry nuclear missiles.
Israel will receive the sixth Dolphin-class submarine, also built by HDW Shipyards GmbH, in a few years. The defense establishment calls this cutting-edge submarine an "improved Dolphin". It will reportedly be delivered to the Navy in 2017 or 2018, and will also cost $500 million.
The Navy does not talk much about the operations of its submarine fleet, which the defense establishment calls "Israel's very long arm". Former Navy Commander Vice Admiral (res.) David Ben-Bassat once told "Globes", "Doubling the submarine fleet will reflect Israel's recognition of the strategic depth of its maritime space and will give the Navy immense capabilities. The IDF's defense concept will be significantly improved and upgraded when it receives more submarines."
Israel developed many of the Dolphin submarine's systems. Defense sources say that Germany is making reciprocal procurements from Israeli civilian and defense companies as part of the program.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 29, 2013
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