The deployment of INS Rahav, allegedly capable of launching cruise missiles with nuclear warheads, to the Israeli navy has set off a number of worrying alarm bells, Jeremy Corbyn, the British MP and deputy head of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament tells RT. “It’s very hard to see how these submarines that Germany is supplying to Israel can be solely for defensive purposes, because there is no sea-based threat to Israel and Israel needs to get on board with the rest of the region and talk peace and talk about the signature they’ve already given to the Mediterranean weapons of Mass Destruction free zone. The delivery of these submarines is yet one more ratcheting up of the danger.” He explained that Israel already has the ability to launch nuclear weapons whether on missiles or from bombs on airplanes and these submarines could also be used – if converted – to deliver nuclear weapons. Corbyn questioned why Germany is paying a very large amount of money to Israel’s defense costs by subsidizing the development and delivery of these submarines. “One just wonders if this isn’t part of a wider European military involvement in North Africa and the Middle East region. It is a very bad day for the development of a peace process across the Middle East,” said Corbyn. His thoughts were echoed by Bruce Gagnon, an anti-nuclear campaigner based in Maine in the US. He told RT that he fails to see how the fleet of new German submarines can be only for defensive purposes and believes they are for projecting power across the region and may be part of a larger global strategy to expand NATO. He also believes that it will be impossible to make any advances on nuclear disarmament when Israel and the US refuse to admit that Israel has nuclear weapons.“The international community must continue to shine a light on Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons, something they don’t want to talk about, something the US doesn’t want to talk about,” said Gagnon. As well as Israel flouting international opinion by developing 200 nuclear warheads, responsibility also lies with the officials who run and oversee the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, explained Corbyn. “The NPT have been very dilatory in their behavior in setting up a nuclear weapons conference for the Middle East,” he said. … Read More
Israel gets fifth ‘nuclear-capable’ sub
The submarine has been baptized INS Rahav. Rahav is a demon, a cosmic sea monster, ‘Prince of the Sea’ according to the Talmud. It was also the name of a strange woman from Jericho who hid two Jewish scouts from the King of Jericho in the Book of Joshua, Old Testament.After the submarine is fully equipped and passes all tests, it will cost $500 million and will enter service as possibly the most sophisticated and expensive weapon of Israeli Navy. Delivery to client is reportedly expected by the end of 2013.The INS Rahav was built in northern Germany at the Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft shipyard in Kiel. She is believed to be one of the most advanced and sophisticated diesel-electric submarines in the world.“The INS Rahav is one of the most advanced submarines in the world,” said Israeli Defense Ministry in a statement on Monday, reported Jerusalem Post.“It is a versatile platform which can adapt to many and varied missions. The fleet of submarines forms a long arm for the [Israel] Navy, the IDF, and the State of Israel,” the ministry said.The inauguration ceremony has been attended by an Israeli delegation headed by the director-general of Israel’s Ministry of Military Affairs, Major General Udi Shani, the commander of the Israeli Navy, Rear Admiral Ram Rothberg, and a number of Israeli and German officials.In June 2012, Der Spiegel reported that Germany is actually strengthening Israel’s nuclear capabilities. The magazine claimed that Dolphin-class submarines are equipped with hydraulic ejection systems that enable the underwater launch of Israeli Popeye Turbo SLCM long-range cruise missiles, believed to have nuclear warheads.Israel’s Popeye cruise missile is believed to have a range of up to 1500km and carry a 200kg payload, enough to fit in a nuclear warhead. The first launch of the missile was carried out in 2002 in the Indian Ocean.Thus the German-built submarines are believed to be the backbone of the Israeli nuclear deterrent against Iran.“The submarines are a strong, strategic tool for the IDF. The State of Israel is ready to act anytime, anywhere – on land, sea and air – in order to ensure the security of Israel’s citizens,” Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said according to Associated Press.Israel’s coastline in total, including islands, is a mere 273km, and it is no exaggeration to say that there is no other country with so many submarines to protect so short a sea border.Germany building up Israel’s ‘deterrence’ submarine fleetGermany started to deliver its Type 800 Dolphin-class submarines to Israel after the first Persian Gulf War.The first two submarines were donated to Tel Aviv for free while the third came with a 50-per-cent discount, informs International Defense News. Berlin also shared about a third of the costs for the fourth and fifth submarines.The fourth, the INS Tannin, opened the new generation of Dolphin II class submarines, capable of remaining submerged for long periods using cutting edge ‘air independent propulsion’ technology, which allows the engines of diesel-electric submarines to run without atmospheric oxygen.In March 2012 Israel and Germany signed a contract for a sixth and the last Dolphin-II class submarine that will be delivered in several years. Berlin allocated about 135 million euro (US $175.8 million) of the overall 600-million-euro cost of the sub.In December 2011 Jerusalem Post reported that Israel invested about $27 million in a comprehensive structural overhaul and upgrade of the Dolphine I submarines at a shipyard in Haifa. Israeli Dolphin-class submarines: INS Dolphin – commissioned 1999 INS Leviathan (Whale) – commissioned 2000 INS Tekumah (Revival) – commissioned 2000 INS Tannin (Crocodile) – delivered May 3, 2012, to be commissioned in 2013 INS Rahav (Demon) – delivery expected by the end 2013 “The Germans can be proud to have secured the existence of Israel for many years,” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Der Spiegel in June 2012.According to Barak, the INS Tannin delivered May 3, 2012, became yet another “force multiplier in terms of the capabilities and strength of Israel’s defense forces.”Commenting the delivery of INS Tannin, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz specified that in conditions of growing strategic challenges in the Middle East Israeli’s Navy and its submarine fleet in particular represents a “defensive and fighting arm of deterrence.”The “force multiplier” and “fighting arm” remarks of Israeli officials might as well point out that the alleged nuclear missiles in the possession of the state of Israel could be regarded not only as a shield, but as a sword as well.Officially, Germany has always maintained that it doesn’t have a slightest idea about Israel’s military nuclear program and possible deployment of nuclear missiles on German-built submarines. However, according to Der Spiegel’s research, several former high-ranking German officials have never doubted Israel was putting nuclear missiles on its subs.Former German State Secretary Lothar Ruhl told Der Spiegel last June that he had not only “always assumed that Israel would deploy nuclear weapons on the submarines,” but also discussed the issue with the Israeli military.According to documents obtained by the newspaper, the German government was well aware of Israel’s nuclear program as early as in 1961. The latest evidence from German Foreign Ministry archives presented by the magazine last year dates back to 1977 and corresponds to a discussion on the nuclear issue between then-Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan and then-German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt.Israel has never signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, despite continuing international pressure, claiming it would be against its national security interests. Though Israel is not officially recognized as a nuclear weapons state, it is believed to possess several hundred operational nuclear devices. … Read More
North Korea Rhetoric Continues
The Pentagon confirmed that B-52s, taking off from Andersen Air Force base in Guam, had flown over South Korea as part of annual joint exercises that Pyongyang insist are a rehearsal for provocation. … Read More
Russia, Vietnam agree on submarine fleet deal
“This year a new page will be opened in the history of theVietnamese Navy – it will get a fleet of submarines,” SergeyShoigu told reporters following the meeting with the VietnameseDefense Minister Phung Quang Thanh.The Russian minister said that they reached an agreement onsynchronization in preparing both the submarines and their crews,and also decided that Russian military schools would train moreVietnamese specialists in the nearest future.In earlier comments Shoigu called the cooperation with Vietnamone of the priorities of Russia’s foreign policy and promised thatMoscow would renew active military cooperation with Hanoi.In particular, the two sides discussed the possibility forRussian specialists to use the naval base and the military airportin Cam Rahn. All talks were held in secrecy, but Shoigu’s visit toVietnam started from a trip to Cam Rahn, which was once used bySoviet and then by the Russian Navy, but was abandoned in 2002 dueto lack of funds.Russian experts are divided on the possibility and necessity ofputting Russian military bases in Vietnam. Colonel-General LeonidIvashov, former head of the foreign cooperation department of theRussian Defense Ministry, told the Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily thatsuch a step is simply necessary as it would seriously strengthenRussia’s positions in the South East Asia.At the same time, the Interfax news agency quoted an unnamedsource in the Russian Navy HQ as saying that the return of the CamRahn base is not necessary and the issue is not even on theagenda.News of Russia’s future role in the beefing up of the Vietnamesenavy comes on the background of the major international row overthe South China Sea and its major oil and gas deposits.In the latest developments, Vietnam has commenced exploratorydrilling on the sea shelf, but China replied with a note demandingit to stop. Soon after that China declared that the oil under theSouth China Sea was its national asset. Other neighboringcountries, such as the Philippines and Malaysia also voiced claimsto the resource-rich region. … Read More
Patrick Clawson Of The Washington Institute Advacates A False Flag Attack On Iran
(Thomas Dishaw) ) Patrick Clawson a lobbyist for the Washington Institute elaborates on how the US is deliberately trying to get a war started with Iran. Even going as far as using a false flag attack to create World War 3. Clawson clarifies his statement by explaining “if the Iranians won’t compromise it would be best if somebody else [...]
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