Israel
Arming Subs With Nuclear Missiles
Israel is placing nuclear-tipped cruise missiles on submarines
supplied by Germany, according to a new report — assuring a retaliatory
capability following a nuclear attack from Iran.
The German news weekly Der Spiegel disclosed that Berlin
had until now denied any knowledge that Israeli submarines, largely financed by
Germany, were being used as part of an Israeli atomic arsenal.
But former high-ranking officials of the German defense ministry
told Der Spiegel that the government had long assumed that Israel was putting
nuclear warheads on the Dolphin-class vessels.
Germany has supplied Israel with three Dolphin-class subs, footing
most of the bill, and
another three
are scheduled to be delivered by 2017.
In Israel, foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor told AFP: "I can confirm that we have German submarines. It's no
secret. As for the rest, I am not in a position to talk about their capacity.”
A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the
submarines had been delivered unarmed and stated: "The federal government will not speculate on subsequent arming.”
Israel fears an attack from arch-foe Iran if the Islamic Republic
obtains nuclear weapons, and like the United States has refused to rule out
bombing Iranian nuclear sites.
Der Spiegel quoted Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak as saying: “The Germans can be
proud to have ensured the existence of the state of Israel for several years to
come."
