Minister of Defense Ehud Barak today signed a contract for the purchase of a sixth submarine for Israel's Navy from Germany. The ceremony was held at the residence of Israel's Ambassador to Germany in Berlin. Participants included Ministry of Defense director general Maj.-Gen. (res.) Udi Shani, and German Federal Ministry of Defense Secretary of State Rudiger Wolf.
Germany will build upgraded Dolphin submarine and delivery to the Israel Navy by 2018. At delivery, it will be one of the most advanced submarines in the world, and will be the most expensive weapon procured by the IDF, at a cost of €400 million. Germany will finance a third of the cost.
Defense sources said that the cost of the new submarine will be several times higher than the cost of the first squadron of F-35 stealth fighters that the Israel Air Force will receive in the coming years.
Israel currently has three submarines in its fleet, forming the Navy's strategic arm. The fourth and fifth Dolphin submarines are in advanced stages of construction in German shipyards and will arrive in mid-2013 and in the second half of 2014, respectively.
At the signing ceremony, Barak said, "The sixth submarine will be a force multiple to the IDF and Israel's capabilities and power in response to growing challenges. This agreement reflects the deep relations with Germany and the German government's commitment to Israel's security. The Navy has been undergoing in recent years strategic changes that position it at the spearhead of Israel's defense and as the long arm of the IDF."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 21, 2012
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