What you need to know: Israel’s Dolphin-class submarines are a powerful but underexplored dimension of its defense. These German-built diesel-electric submarines, consisting of the Dolphin-I and Dolphin-II types, strengthen Israeli operations in the Mediterranean.
-Dolphin-I lacks air-independent propulsion (AIP), limiting its endurance, while Dolphin-II, with AIP, allows longer underwater missions and is Israel’s most expensive military asset.
Nuclear weapons? Armed with torpedo tubes capable of launching mines, cruise missiles and possibly nuclear-tipped Popeye Turbo missiles, these submarines would provide Israel with a second-strike nuclear capability. As Iran’s potential nuclear development looms, Israel’s Dolphin class could increasingly become a crucial part of its strategic deterrent.
Israeli secret dolphin submarines: the ultimate deterrent?
Israeli military capabilities have been the focus of global news coverage lately. But most of the coverage is about the Israeli military, their air force, their Iron Dome and their nuclear duplicity. Relatively little attention is paid to the Israeli naval forces.
Israel is fortunate to have access to the Mediterranean Sea, and from there to the open ocean. Accordingly, Israel has built itself a respectable navy with seven corvettes, eight missile boats, 45 patrol boats, four support ships – and five submarines.
The five submarines all belong to the Dolphin class, a diesel-electric model based on the German 209 class. Two types of Dolphin were built: the Dolphin-I and the Dolphin-II. The two types are similar; however, the Dolphin-II is longer. Here you will find the full specifications of the two types.
The specifications of the dolphin
Let’s walk through specifications first for the Dolphin-I. The Dolphin-I weighs 1,900 tons underwater, is 58 meters long and can reach a top speed of 37 miles per hour. The Dolphin-I differs from the Dolphin-II in that the Dolphin-I does not have an air independent propulsion system (AIP). An AIP is a system that allows a non-nuclear submarine to operate without atmospheric oxygen. In an effort to modernize the fleet, the Israelis plan to replace their non-AIP Dolphins with Dakar-class submarines, which will have AIP technology.
The Dolphin-II meanwhile, it displaces 2,400 tons when submerged. The Dolphin-II is longer than the Dolphin-I, measuring 230 feet and can reach a higher top speed, 47 miles per hour, than its non-AIP sibling. The Dolphin-II do equipped with AIP technology. The Dolphin-II has a few differences. First, the submarine is the largest built in Germany since the end of World War II, when the Kriegsmarine’s “wolf packs” stalked the Atlantic Ocean. Second, the Dolphin-II is the most expensive vehicle in the entire Israeli Defense Forces inventory.
The dolphin’s armament
The Dolphin class submarines are equipped with six 533mm torpedo tubes and four 650mm torpedo tubes. The largest torpedo tubes can be used for mine laying, cruise missiles and even swimmer vans.
The Dolphin is believed to be nuclear armed. Of course, Israel has remained ambiguous regarding their nuclear capabilities – but few doubt that the Israelis have crossed the nuclear threshold. If true, the nuclear-armed Dolphin gives the Israelis the opportunity for a second strike. The warhead would likely be attached to one of Israel’s Popeye Turbo cruise missiles, which could be launched from one of the Dolphin’s larger torpedo tubes. The second strike assetsIn theory, this could give any nation pause regarding launching a nuclear attack on Israel. Although Israel’s greatest enemies do not currently possess nuclear weapons, Iran is seen as a threshold state, on the verge of developing its own nuclear weapon. Should that day come, Israel will rely more heavily on the Dolphin as a method of nuclear deterrence.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with a total of more than 1,000 articles on issues relating to global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist and minor professional hockey player, Harrison joined the United States Air Force as a pilot trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
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