 Dolphin-class submarine (2008) |
|
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) |
| Operators: |  Israeli Navy |
| Completed: | Dolphin Leviathan Tekumah (trans. "Revival") |
| Active: | 3 (+2 taken delivery) |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Diesel-electric submarine |
| Displacement: | 1,640 tons surfaced, 1,900 tons submerged |
| Length: | 57 metres (190 ft) |
| Beam: | 6.8 metres (22 ft) |
| Draught: | 6.2 metres (20 ft) |
| Propulsion: | Diesel-electric, 3 diesels, 1 shaft, 4,243 shp |
| Speed: | 20 knots (37 km/h) |
| Test depth: | At least 200 metres (660 ft) |
| Complement: | 35 + 10 additional |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
STN Atlas ISUS 90-55 combat system |
| Armament: | 6 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes, 4 x 25.5 inch (650 mm) diameter torpedo tubes |
| Notes: | Characteristics listed are those of the original 1990s non-AIP-capable model |
The Dolphin class is a non-nuclear (SSK) type of submarine developed and constructed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW), Germany for the Israeli Navy. It is based on the export-only German 209 class submarines, but heavily modified and enlarged and is thus not seen as a member of the 209 family. The Dolphin boats are considered among the most sophisticated and capable conventional submarines in the world.[1]
Israel signed a contract with ThyssenKrupp to purchase two additional submarines from its HDW subsidiary. The two new boats are an upgraded version of the old Dolphins, featuring an Air-independent propulsion system, similar to the one used on type 212 submarines. On July 6, 2006, the Government of Germany decided to pay an advance to start the construction, about 170 million euros. The two submarines cost, overall, around 1.3 billion euros, of which one-third was paid by Germany. Israel is also interested in purchasing a third submarine of this type from Germany.[2]
Contents |
Boats
- Dolphin - May 1998
- Leviathan - 1999
- Tekumah (trans. "Revival") - 2000
The first two (Dolphin and Leviathan) were donated by Germany, only the third (Tekumah) was purchased by Israel, although Germany still paid for half of the costs. During the first Gulf War, German firms were accused of helping Iraq with its chemical weapons program, which led to protests in both Germany and Israel. To calm Israeli concerns, compensate Israel for economic losses and keep German shipyards occupied,[3] then Chancellor of Germany Helmut Kohl decided to donate the two submarines.[4] The Dolphins have replaced the aging Gal class submarines, which had served in the Israeli navy since the late-1970's.
Armament
Each submarine is armed with 6 x 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes, which are also capable of firing Sub-Harpoon missiles, and 4 x 25.5-inch (648 mm) torpedo tubes. The submarines are also able to deploy mines.
It is believed that the four larger 25.5-inch (648 mm) torpedo tubes are capable of launching nuclear-armed Popeye Turbo cruise missiles (a variant of the Popeye/AGM-142 Have Nap standoff missile) with a range of up to 1,500 kilometres (930 mi),[5] which would offer Israel a second strike capability.[2] The larger torpedo tubes can also launch underwater swimmer delivery vehicles.[6]
Deployment
According to news reports the submarines are normally based in the Mediterranean.[7] As part of a naval drill in June 2009 a Dolphin sailed through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea. Israeli media interpreted this as a warning to Iran.[8]
Possible future operators
Egypt : Cairo, officials said, has opened talks with Berlin aimed at having the Egyptian navy purchase several Dolphin-class submarines.[9]
References
- ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/24/AR2006082401050.html
- ^ a b Alon Ben-David (1 October 2009). "Israel seeks sixth Dolphin in light of Iranian 'threat'". Jane's Defence Weekly. http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jdw/jdw091001_1_n.shtml. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
- ^ Israel Expands Its Nuclear Threat Thanks To German “Donation” of Dolphin Subs
- ^ http://www.dolphin.org.il/dolphins/
- ^ http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/israel/missile/popeye-t.htm
- ^ http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/dolphin/
- ^ "Israeli sub sails Suez, signaling reach to Iran". Reuters. Jul 3, 2009. http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5621XZ20090703.
- ^ "Israel sends sub as 'a warning'". The New Zealand Herald. Jul 06, 2009. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10582762.
- ^ http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1226404771497&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
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