Israel adds 2 nuclear-capable submarines

[spindrifter]

Stars and Stripes
Aug 24, 10:48 PM EDT


By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI
Associated Press Writer


JERUSALEM (AP) -- With the purchase of two more German-made Dolphin submarines capable of carrying nuclear warheads, military experts say Israel is sending a clear message to Iran that it can strike back if attacked by nuclear weapons.

<snip>

The new submarines, built at a cost of $1.3 billion with Germany footing one-third of the bill, have diesel-electric propulsion systems that allow them to remain submerged for longer periods of time than the three nuclear arms-capable submarines already in Israel's fleet, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The latest submarines not only would be able to carry out a first strike should Israel choose to do so, but they also would provide Israel with crucial second-strike capabilities, said Paul Beaver, a London-based independent defense analyst.

Israel is already believed to have that ability in the form of the Jericho-1 and Jericho-2 nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, which are buried so far underground they would survive a nuclear strike, he said.

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/ISRAEL_DETERRING_IRAN?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Warren Stupidity]

1. Who is the nuclear threat in the middle east?

Huh?

[orwell]

2. I'm sure we'll be seeing...

...lots of Fox bloviating about WMD proliferation in the Middle East.

I'm sure...