Israeli nuclear potential
Soon after the end of World War II, many industrialized nations joined the nuclear race. This right was limited to countries recognized as aggressors as a result of the war and occupied by military contingents of the anti-Hitler coalition states. Initially, the atomic bomb was seen as a kind of superweapon designed to eliminate strategically important targets - administrative and military-industrial centers, large naval and aviation bases. However, with the increase in the number of nuclear charges in arsenals and their miniaturization, nuclear weapon It was considered as a tactical means of destruction of equipment and manpower on the battlefield. Even one nuclear charge, applied at the right time and in the right place, made it possible to thwart the onslaught of many times superior enemy armies or, on the contrary, to promote the breakthrough of the enemy’s deeply echeloned defense. Work was also actively carried out on the creation of “special” warheads for torpedoes, depth bombs, anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles. The sufficiently high power of tactical nuclear charges made it possible, with a minimum number of carriers, to solve the problem of the destruction of entire squadrons of warships and aircraft groups. At the same time, relatively simple guidance systems could be used, the low accuracy of which was compensated by a significant damage zone.
Since its inception, the State of Israel has been in a hostile environment and has been forced to spend significant resources on defense. The Israeli leadership was closely monitoring global trends in the development of weapons of warfare and could not ignore the ever-increasing role of nuclear weapons. The initiator of the Israeli nuclear program was the founder of the Jewish state, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. After the end of the Arab-Israeli war 1948, in which Israel was opposed by the Egyptian and Jordanian armies, Ben-Gurion concluded that only the atomic bomb could guarantee the survival of the Arab forces in the conditions of multiple numerical superiority of the Arab forces. It will be insured if Israel can no longer compete with the Arabs in an arms race, and can become a “last resort” weapon in an emergency. Ben-Gurion hoped that the mere fact of having a nuclear bomb in Israel would be able to convince the governments of hostile countries to abandon the attack, which in turn would lead to peace in the region. The government of Israel assumed that the defeat in the war would lead to the physical liquidation of the Jewish state.
Apparently, the first detailed technical information on fissile materials and atomic bomb technology was obtained from physicist Moshe Surdin, who arrived from France. Already in 1952, the official establishment of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission took place, which was given the responsibility of building the scientific and technical potential necessary to create an atomic bomb. The commission was headed by an eminent physicist and scientist Ernst David Bergman, who moved to Palestine after Hitler came to power. When the independence of Israel was proclaimed, he founded and headed the IDF research service. Becoming the head of nuclear research, Bergman took decisive measures to deploy not only scientific but also design work.
However, in the 50-ies, Israel was a very poor country, whose material and financial resources, scientific, technological and industrial capabilities were very limited. By the time research began, there was no nuclear fuel in the Jewish state and most of the necessary instruments and components. In the existing conditions, it was impossible to create an atomic bomb independently in the foreseeable future, and the Israelis demonstrated miracles of dexterity and resourcefulness, acting not always with legitimate methods even against their allies.
The first research nuclear reactor with a capacity of 5 MW in 1955 was installed not far from Tel Aviv in the settlement of Nagal Sorek. The reactor managed to get from the United States in the framework of the Atoms for Peace program announced by US President Dwight Eisenhower. This low-power reactor could not produce weapons-grade plutonium in significant quantities, and was mainly used to train specialists and develop methods for handling radioactive materials, which later came in handy when deploying large-scale research. However, despite persistent requests, the Americans refused to provide nuclear fuel and equipment that could be used in a nuclear weapon program, and in the second half of 50's, France became the main source of materials and nuclear technology.
After Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser blocked shipping on the Suez Canal, the French hoped that the IDF would be able to expel the Egyptians from Sinai and open the canal. In this regard, with the 1956, France began to carry out large-scale deliveries of equipment and weapons to Israel. Representatives of the Israeli military intelligence AMAN managed to agree on nuclear compensation to Israel for its participation in the war. Although Israeli forces occupied the Sinai Peninsula for the 4 day and reached the canal, the French and the British did not achieve their goal, and in March 1957, the Israelis also left Sinai. However, the French complied with the agreement, and in October 1957 of the year an agreement was reached on the supply of a 28 MW reactor with a heavy water neutron moderator and technical documentation. After the work entered the phase of practical implementation, a new “nuclear” special service was created in Israel, whose task was to ensure complete confidentiality of the nuclear program and supply it with intelligence. The head of the service, called the “Bureau of Special Tasks,” became Benjamin Blumberg. The construction of the reactor began in the Negev desert, near the city of Dimona. At the same time, within the framework of the disinformation campaign, a rumor was launched about the construction of a large textile enterprise here. However, it was not possible to hide the true purpose of the work, and this caused a serious international response. The publicity led to a delay in the launch of the reactor, and only after Ben-Gurion, in a personal meeting with Charles de Gaulle, assured him that the reactor would carry only the functions of power supply, and weapons-grade plutonium was not provided for, the last batch of equipment was delivered and fuel cells.
During the year, the EL-102 reactor received from France could produce about 3 kg of weapons-grade plutonium, which was enough to produce a single implosive-type nuclear power of approximately 18 qt. Of course, such volumes of nuclear material could not satisfy the Israelis, and they took steps to modernize the reactor. At the cost of considerable efforts, Israeli intelligence was able to reach an agreement with the French firm Saint-Gobain on the supply of technical documentation and equipment necessary to increase the production of plutonium. Since the upgraded reactor required additional nuclear fuel and equipment for its enrichment, Israeli intelligence successfully turned a number of operations, during which everything needed was produced.
The main source of sophisticated technological equipment and special-purpose products became the United States. In order not to cause suspicion, various components were ordered from different manufacturers in parts. However, sometimes Israeli intelligence acted very extreme. Thus, FBI agents revealed a shortage in the warehouses of the MUMEK Corporation, located in the city of Apollo (pc.) And supplying American nuclear power plants with nuclear fuel about 300 kg of enriched uranium. The investigation revealed that the famous American physicist, Dr. Solomon Shapiro, who owned the corporation, came into contact with Avraham Hermoni, the representative of the “Bureau of Special Tasks”, sent the uranium to Israel. In November, the 1965 of natural uranium mined in the Congo was illegally overloaded on board an Israeli bulk carrier at sea in November 200. Simultaneously with the delivery of uranium in Norway, it was possible to purchase 21 tons of heavy water. At the beginning of 80's, a scandal broke out in the United States when it became known that the owner of Milko Corporation (California) illegally sold 10 cryotones, electronic devices that are used in nuclear ammunition detonators.
For many years, Israel in the nuclear field has secretly collaborated with South Africa. In 60-70, the Republic of South Africa intensively created its own nuclear bomb. Unlike Israel, there were plenty of natural raw materials in this country. There was a completely mutually beneficial exchange between the countries: uranium for technology, equipment and specialists. Looking ahead, we can say that the result of this mutually beneficial cooperation was a series of powerful light bursts recorded by the American satellite Vela 6911 22 September 1979 of the year in the South Atlantic, near Prince Edward Islands. It is widely believed that this was a test of an Israeli nuclear power up to 5 kt, possibly conducted jointly with South Africa.
The first reports that Israel began producing nuclear weapons appeared in the CIA report at the start of 1968. According to American estimates, three atomic bombs could be collected in 1967. In September 1969, a meeting was held at the White House between US President Richard Nixon and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. It is not known what the parties agreed upon during this meeting, but Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said in a later conversation with the president:
“During your private conversations with Golda Meir, you emphasized that our main task was to ensure that Israel did not make a visible introduction of nuclear weapons and did not carry out nuclear testing programs.”
In fact, the negotiations between Golda Meir and Richard Nixon secured a position that is still observed. Israel’s policy on nuclear weapons was the non-recognition of its presence and the absence of any public steps to demonstrate it. In turn, the United States pretends not to notice the Israeli nuclear potential. Regarding the US-Israeli relations in the field of nuclear weapons, Executive Director of the Washington Institute for Middle East Policy Robert Sethoff put it very precisely:
“Essentially, the deal was that Israel should keep its nuclear deterrence deep in the basement, and Washington kept her criticism locked in a closet.”
One way or another, Israel has not signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, although Israeli officials have never confirmed its existence. However, some statements can be interpreted as anything. Thus, the fourth president of Israel, Ephraim Qatsir (1973 — 1978), expressed himself very mysteriously:
"We will not be the first to use nuclear weapons, but we will not be the second either."
Doubts about the presence of a nuclear potential in Israel were finally dispelled after in 1985 the fugitive technician of the Israeli nuclear center "Moson-2" Mordechai Vanunu handed over 60 photographs to the English newspaper The Sunday Times and made a number of oral statements. According to information voiced by Vanunu, the Israelis have brought the power of the French reactor at Dimona to 150 MW. This made it possible to ensure the production of weapons-grade plutonium in an amount sufficient for the production of at least 10 nuclear weapons annually. A facility for reprocessing irradiated fuel was built at the Dimona nuclear center with the assistance of French firms in the early 60s. It can produce from 15 to 40 kg of plutonium per year. According to expert estimates, the total volume of fissile materials produced in Israel before 2003, suitable for creating nuclear charges, exceeds 500 kg. According to Vanunu, the Dimona nuclear center includes not only the Moson-2 plant and the Moson-1 reactor complex itself. There are also the Moson-3 facility for the production of lithium deuteride, which is used for the production of thermonuclear charges, and the Moson-4 center for processing radioactive waste from the Moson-2 plant, research complexes for centrifugal and laser enrichment uranium "Moson-8" and "Moson-9", as well as the plant "Moson-10", which produces depleted uranium blanks for the manufacture of cores 120-mm tank armor-piercing shells.
Nuclear Center in Dimona
Having studied the pictures, reputable experts confirmed that they are genuine. An indirect confirmation of the fact that Vanunu was telling the truth was the operation conducted by the Israeli special services in Italy, as a result of which he was abducted and secretly taken to Israel. For his “betrayal and espionage,” Mordechai Vanunu was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment, of which he spent 11 years in strict isolation. After serving the full term, Vanunu was released in April 2004 of the year. However, he still cannot leave the territory of Israel, visit foreign embassies, and he is obliged to report on the planned movements. Mordechai Vanunu is forbidden to use the Internet and mobile communications, as well as communicate with foreign journalists.
Based on the information made public by Mordechai Vanunu and the estimates of nuclear physicists, American experts concluded that since the first unloading of plutonium from a nuclear reactor in Dimona, there was a quantity of fissionable materials sufficient to produce more than 200 nuclear charges. By the beginning of the YN Day War in 1973, the Israeli military could have 15 nuclear warheads, 1982 in 35, by the beginning of the anti-Iraqi company in 1991 - 55, in 2003 - 80, and in 2004, the production of nuclear warheads was frozen. According to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Israel could potentially produce from 1970 — 1980 a year to 20 nuclear warheads, and by 1993 — from 100 to 200 warheads. According to former US President Jimmy Carter, expressed in May 2008, their number is "150 or more." In modern Western publications relating to nuclear weapons in the Jewish state, most often refer to data published in 2013 in the British profile edition of the “Nuclear Research Bulletin”. In it, nuclear weapons experts Hans Christensen and Robert Norris argue that Israel has about 80 nuclear warheads at its disposal, possessing the fissile materials needed to produce from 115 to 190 warheads.
At present, Israel’s dependence on uranium supplies from abroad has been completely overcome. All the needs of the nuclear weapons complex are met by extracting radioactive materials during phosphate processing. According to data published in the open report of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation, uranium compounds can be released at three enterprises for the production of phosphoric acid and fertilizers as a by-product in the amount of up to 100 tons per year. Israelis, in 1974, patented a laser enrichment method, and in 1978, an even more economical method was used to separate uranium isotopes, based on the difference in their magnetic properties. The existing uranium reserves while maintaining current production rates in Israel are sufficient to meet their own needs and even exports for about 200 years.
Satellite image of Google Earth: nuclear center in Dimona
According to data published in open sources, the following nuclear facilities are located on the territory of the Jewish state:
- Nahal Sorek - the center of scientific research and development of nuclear warheads. The American nuclear research reactor is also located here.
- Dimona - a factory producing weapons-grade plutonium.
- Yodefat - an object for the assembly and dismantling of nuclear warheads.
- Kefar Zekharya - nuclear missile base and nuclear weapons storage.
- Eilaban - a warehouse of tactical nuclear warheads.
Concrete sarcophagus over the reactor in Nahal Sorek
From the very beginning of the construction of their nuclear facilities, Israelis have paid much attention to their protection. According to data published in foreign sources, some of the structures are hidden under the ground. Many important parts of the Israeli nuclear complex are protected by concrete sarcophagi capable of withstanding an aerial bomb. In addition, at nuclear facilities, unprecedented even by Israeli standards, security measures and the most severe secrecy are implemented. Aircraft and missile strikes should reflect the Patriot air defense missile system and the Iron Dome, Hetz-2 / 3, and David's Sling missile defense systems. In the immediate vicinity of the nuclear research center in Dimona on Mount Keren, an American AN / TPY-2 radar is deployed to fix ballistic missile launches at a distance of up to 1000 km at the 10-60 ° scanning angle. This station has a good resolution and is able to select targets against the background of debris from previously destroyed missiles and separated stages. In the same area there is a position of the radar stationed on the balloon system JLENS.
The radar antenna and optoelectronic equipment are raised by a tethered aerostat to a height of several hundred meters. The JLENS system’s detection means allow early warning of approaching enemy aircraft and cruise missiles long before they are detected by ground-based radar stations and makes it possible to significantly expand the control zone in the area of the nuclear center.
Taking into account the technological level of the Israeli industry, it is possible to assert with confidence that the mass and dimensional characteristics and the coefficient of technical reliability of the nuclear charges collected in Israel are at a sufficiently high level. The weak point of the Israeli nuclear program is the impossibility of conducting nuclear tests. However, it can be assumed that, given the close US-Israeli defense links, the Israeli nuclear warheads could have been tested at the American test site in Nevada, where these explosions were issued for American tests. Similar precedents in the US have already been, since the beginning of the 60's all British nuclear charges have been tested there. At present, the experience gained over decades and the high performance of modern supercomputers make it possible to create realistic mathematical models of nuclear and thermonuclear warheads, which in turn makes it possible to dispense with a nuclear charge at the test site.
SO-4050 Vautour II Israeli Air Force front bomber
The first carriers of Israeli nuclear bombs, apparently, were the front bombers of the French production SO-4050 Vautour II. At the beginning of the 70-x, they were replaced by specially modified American-made F-4 Phantom II fighter-bombers. According to American data, each aircraft could carry one nuclear bomb with a power of 18-20 kt. In the modern sense, it was a typical carrier of a tactical nuclear weapon, which, however, based on the situation in the Middle East in 70-80-s, was of strategic importance for Israel. The Israeli Phantoms were equipped with in-flight refueling systems and were able to deliver their cargo to the capitals of nearby Arab countries. Given that the level of training of Israeli pilots has always been quite high, the best of the best served in the “nuclear” squadron.
Link Israeli fighter-bombers F-4E
However, the command of the Israel Defense Forces was well aware that the Phantom pilots could not guarantee that the atomic bombs would be delivered to their targets close to the 100%. Since the middle of the 60-s, the Arab countries were gaining increasing amounts of Soviet air defense systems and the skill of the crews might not be enough to evade numerous anti-aircraft missiles of various types. This deficiency was deprived of ballistic missiles, but their creation required considerable time and, therefore, tactical missiles were ordered in France.
In 1962, the Israeli government requested a short-range ballistic missile. After that, Dassault began work on the creation of a liquid missile MD 620 with a launch range of up to 500 km.
MD 620 ballistic missile test launch
The first test launch of a single-stage liquid rocket (oxidant nitrogen tetroxide and heptyl fuel) took place at the French Ile du Levant test site 1 in February 1965, and in March 16 launched an additional solid propellant rocket. In total, until the end of September 1966, sixteen test launches were carried out, ten of them were considered successful. According to French data, a rocket with a maximum launch mass of 1968 kg and a length of 6700 m could deliver a 13,4 kg warhead to a range of 500 km. In 500, France imposed an arms embargo on Israel, but by that time, Dassault had already delivered 1969 to Israel completely ready-made missiles, and also transferred most of the technical documentation. Further work on the program was carried out by the Israeli aircraft-building concern IAI with the participation of Rafael. The development of the guidance system was the Weizmann Institute. The Israeli version MD 14 received the designation "Jericho-620". Serial production of Israeli ballistic missiles began in the 1 year with a production rate of up to 1971 units per month. In total, more than 6 missiles were built. Test launches of the Israeli BR were carried out at the test site in South Africa.
In 1975, the first rocket squadron began combat duty. In general, the Jericho-1 rocket corresponded to the French prototype, but to increase reliability, the launch range was limited to 480 km, and the mass of the warhead did not exceed 450 kg. An inertial guidance system with control from an on-board digital computer provided a deviation from the aiming point to 1 km. Most experts in the field of rocket technology agree that the first Israeli BRs, due to their low accuracy, were equipped with nuclear or military units equipped with poisonous substances. The deployment of ballistic missiles was carried out in the mountainous area of Khirbat Zaharian to the west of Jerusalem. The Jerichoes were located in underground bunkers designed and built by the state-owned hydro construction company Takhal, and transported on wheeled semi-trailers. Operation of the Jericho-1 BR continued until the middle of the 90-x. They were in service with the 2 th wing of the Kanaf-2, assigned to the Sdot Miha airbase.
In 1973, Israel attempted to buy solid-fuel MGM-31A Pershing BRs in the US with a launch range of up to 740 km, but was refused. In compensation, the Americans offered MGM-52 Lance tactical missiles with a launch range of up to 120 km.
Towed launcher tactical missile system MGM-52 Lance
The Israelis have developed for the "Lance" combat unit equipped with fragmentation submunitions. Such missiles were mainly intended for the destruction of anti-aircraft missile systems and radars. However, there is no doubt that part of the Israeli mobile tactical complexes MGM-31A was equipped with missiles with "special" combat units.
175 mm M107 self-propelled gun at the Latrun armored vehicle museum
A number of experts report that American-made 175-mm long-range self-propelled M107 self-propelled guns, supplied to Israel in the number of 140 units, and M203 110 SAU, which received 36 units, could have nuclear shells in ammunition. A number of 175-mm and 203-mm self-propelled guns were stored in the 21 century.
After Israel was denied the supply of American ballistic missiles, in the second half of the 70's own development of a new medium-range ballistic missile “Jericho-2” began. A two-stage solid-fuel rocket with an estimated launch weight of 26 000 kg and a length of 15 m, according to experts, is capable of delivering a 1000 kg warhead to a range of about 1500 km. In 1989, a successful test launch of Jericho-2 from a test site in South Africa took place. South African authorities claimed that it was an Arniston launch vehicle launched along a ballistic trajectory over the Indian Ocean. However, the CIA experts in their report indicated that the rocket was of Israeli origin. The second missile test in South Africa took place in November 1990. In the course of successful launches, we were able to demonstrate a range of more than 1400 km. However, in 1990, the South African government signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and cooperation with Israel in the development of ballistic missiles was discontinued.
According to data published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP), the “Jericho-2” staging for combat duty occurred in the period from 1989 to 1993 year. It is indicated that the rocket can be launched from mine launchers and mobile platforms. A number of sources state that the medium-range ballistic missile "Jericho-2B" is equipped with a radar guidance system, which significantly improves the accuracy of the hit. According to expert estimates in Israel there may be approximately 50 MRSD "Jericho-2". They are expected to remain on duty until 2023.
Launch of the Shavit launch vehicle
On the basis of the Jericho-2 MRBR, a Shavit launch vehicle was created by adding another stage. Its first launch took place from the Israeli Palmachim rocket test site 19 September 1988. As a result of a successful launch, the experimental satellite Ofek-1 was launched into Earth orbit. In the future, 11 launch vehicles of the Shavit family were launched from the territory of the Palmachim airbase, of which 8 launches were recognized as successful. Given the geographical location of Israel, launches are made in a westerly direction. This reduces the useful weight of the load placed in space, but allows you to avoid the fall of the spent steps to the territory of neighboring states. In addition to launching spacecraft, the Palmachim airbase is the test site for Israeli ballistic and anti-aircraft missiles.
In 2008, there was information about the creation of a three-stage ballistic missile "Jericho-3". It is considered that the design of the new rocket uses elements that were previously tested in later versions of the Shavit launch vehicle. Since everything related to Jericho 3 is covered with a veil of secrecy, its exact characteristics are not known. According to data that has not been officially confirmed, the launch weight of the rocket is 29-30 t, length - 15,5 m. The payload mass is from 350 kg to 1,3 t.
Test launch of ICBM "Jericho-3"
17 January 2008 was a rocket launched from the Palmachim missile launch site that flew over 4 000 km. The following tests took place on November 2 2011 of the year and July 12 of the year 2013. According to foreign media reports, if the missile is equipped with a warhead of 350 kg, this missile can hit targets at a distance of more than 11 500 km. Thus, Jericho-3 can be considered an intercontinental ballistic missile.
At present, there may be a dozen ICBMs in the missile squadrons of the Israel Defense Forces. Apparently, the bulk of Israeli ballistic missiles are concentrated at the Sdot Mikha airbase, which is located in the Jerusalem district, near the city of Beit Shemesh. Three rocket squadrons armed with Jericho-16 and ICBM "Jericho-2" are based at the 3 km² airbase. Most of the missiles are hidden in underground storage. In the case of an order to strike, missiles must be promptly delivered to towed launchers on launch pads in the immediate vicinity of the storage location. Military observers note that not only all Arab countries and Iran’s capitals are in the area of destruction of Israeli missiles, but also states that have no contradictions with Israel.
In addition to the development of its missile program, Israel is continuously improving other means of delivering nuclear ammunition. In 1998, the Israeli Air Force received the first F-15I Ra'am multi-role fighters. This aircraft is an improved version of the American F-15E Strike Eagle bomber fighter and is mainly intended for strikes against ground targets.
F-15I Ra'am fighter-bomber
According to Flightglobal, all 25 aircraft of this type are permanently based at the Tel Nof airbase. Foreign military experts agree that F-15I are the main carriers of Israeli free-fall atomic bombs. Given that these planes have a combat radius of more than 1200 km and are equipped with fairly advanced EW equipment, the likelihood of their combat mission being high enough. However, F-16I Sufa fighter jets can also be used to deliver nuclear weapons. This model is a seriously upgraded version of the American F-16D Block 50 / 52 Fighting Falcon.
Cruise missile "Dalila" under the wing of the F-16I fighter
In addition to free-falling bombs, Israeli warplanes are capable of carrying Dalila cruise missiles with a launch range in the base version of 250 km. The missile is equipped with a warhead with a mass of 30 kg, which theoretically makes it possible to place a small-sized nuclear charge. The turbo-jet “Dalila” has a length of 3,3 m, a starting weight of 250 kg and flies almost at the speed of sound.
In the future, the Israeli Air Force Command intends to replace the outdated F-16 and F-15 fighters of the new generation F-35A Lightning II. In October 2010, the Israeli representatives signed a contract for the supply of the first batch of X-NUMX F-20 fighters worth $ 35 billion. An agreement was received from the American side regarding the installation of their own electronic equipment and weapons on the aircraft. At the same time, the United States set a condition that if Israel increases the number of acquired F-2,75, it will be allowed to make more of its own changes to the electronic stuffing and weapon systems. Thus, the Americans actually authorized the creation of an Israeli modification, designated F-35I Adir. As part of the weapons procurement plan, it was planned to purchase at least 35 fighter aircraft at least in order to bring their number in 20 to 2020 units. Currently, Israel Aerospace Industries, under a contract with Lockheed Martin, produces wing elements, and the Israeli company Elbit Systems and the American Rockwell Collins jointly produce weapons control equipment.
F-Bombers F-35I Adir
The first F-35I arrived at the Nevatim airbase of December 12 2016. 29 March 2018 Media reported that two Israeli F-35 I made a reconnaissance flight over Iran, flying through Syrian airspace. 22 May 2018, Israeli Air Force Commander Major General Amikam Norkin said that the IDF was the first army in the world to use F-35 aircraft to attack, and that these fighter-bombers had already been used twice to attack targets in the Middle East. There is every reason to believe that as new F-35Is are commissioned, mastered by their flight and technical staff, identifying and eliminating “children's sores,” new fighter-bombers with elements of low radar visibility will be assigned to, among other things, nuclear ammunition.
In 90-ies, Israel ordered the construction of the diesel submarine Dolphin in Germany. Boats designed for the Israeli Navy have much in common with the German Type 212. The cost of one Israeli diesel-electric submarines exceeds $ 700 million. The first two submarines were built at the expense of the German budget and transferred to Israel for free as a return of the historical debt for the Holocaust. When placing an order for the third boat, the parties agreed that the costs would be divided between Germany and Israel in equal shares. In 2006, a contract was signed with a total value of $ 1,4 billion, according to which Israel finances two thirds of the cost of building the fourth and fifth diesel-electric submarines, one third is paid by Germany. At the end of December 2011, it became aware of the conclusion of the contract for the supply of the sixth diesel-type diesel-electric submarines.
ДЭПЛ "Dolphin"
The head boat has a length of 56,3 m and an underwater displacement of 1840 tons. The maximum underwater speed is 20 knots, the working depth of the dive is 200 m, the maximum speed is up to 350 m. Autonomy is 50 days, the cruising range is 8 000 miles. The boats received in 2012 — 2013 were built according to an improved design. They have become longer by about 10 m, equipped with more powerful weapons and have greater autonomy. Each Dolphin class submarine is capable of carrying a total of up to 16 torpedoes and cruise missiles.
Currently, the Israeli Navy has 5 submarines. All are based at the Haifa Naval Base. In the western part of the port in 2007 for flotilla submarines began the construction of a separate base, isolated from piers, where surface ships moored. Along with piers and breakwaters, submariners got at their disposal a developed infrastructure for repair and maintenance.
Judging by the satellite images available in the public domain, Israeli submarines are quite intensively exploited. Of the five diesel-electric submarines at least one is constantly at sea. This is partly due to the fact that diesel-electric submarines like Dolphin carry combat patrols with nuclear weapons on board. There is information about the presence in the armament of Israeli submarines of Popeye Turbo cruise missiles with nuclear warheads.
Model of the Pope Turbo cruise missile
In open sources there is very little data on the characteristics of the CD "Pope Turbo". It is reported that these missiles with a launch range of up to 1500 km can carry warheads weighing 200 kg. The diameter of the 520 rocket is mm, and the length is slightly more than 6 m, which allows them to be launched from torpedo tubes. The first test of the Popeye Turbo rocket with a real launch in the waters of the Indian Ocean took place about 15 years ago. In addition, there is information that from the torpedo tubes of Israeli submarines, you can launch the naval version of the cruise missile “Dalila”. Of course, cruise missiles are inferior in speed of flight and their interception capabilities are significantly inferior to submarine ballistic missiles. However, for the states that are the most likely opponents of Israel, cruise missiles with nuclear warheads are quite a strong deterrent.
Thus, it can be stated that although the presence of nuclear potential has never been officially confirmed, the nuclear triad has been formed in the Israel Defense Forces, in which there are aviation, land and sea components. According to experts, the Israeli nuclear arsenal is quantitatively close to the British. However, the difference is that the bulk of Israeli nuclear warheads are designed for tactical carriers, which, if used against Israel’s potential rivals in the Middle East, can solve strategic tasks. At the moment, the scientific and technical potential of the Jewish state, if necessary, allows for a fairly short period of time to deploy a powerful group of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of hitting the target anywhere in the world. And although the available number of Israeli nuclear and thermonuclear warheads is considered sufficient to inflict unacceptable damage to any potential aggressor, their number can be increased several times over a decade. At the same time, the official policy of the leadership of Israel is to prevent the possession of atomic technologies of countries that conduct a hostile policy towards the Jewish people. Such a policy was practically implemented in that the Israeli Air Force, contrary to the norms of international law, in the past, attacked nuclear facilities in Iraq and Syria.
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Information