[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: "according to foreign sources" the submarines
have especially large diameter launch tubes for nuclear warhead armed
Jericho missiles that provide Israel with 2nd strike capability. ]

PM Netanyahu Welcomes the Launch of Israel's Fifth Submarine
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Monday, 29 April 2013), welcomed
the launch of the State of Israel's fifth submarine. "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," the Prime Minister said.

Defense Ministry Receives IDF's Fifth Dolphin Class Submarine from Germany
(Communicated by Josh Hantman, MOD International Media Adviser
dover@mod.gov.il )

At an official ceremony today (Monday, 29 April 2013), at the Kiel shipyard
in Hamburg, the Defense Ministry received a fifth Dolphin class submarine –
the "INS Rahav".

Defense Ministry Director-General, Maj.-Gen. (Res.) Udi Shani, GOC Navy,
Rear Admiral Ram Rothberg, other senior Israeli officials and their German
counterparts inaugurated the submarine. This ceremony signaled the end of a
lengthy process led by the Defense Ministry Procurement Administration and
the Israeli Navy.

The highpoint of the event in the Kiel shipyard was the ceremonial breaking
of the champagne bottle on the submarine by both Israeli and German
officials. "INS Rahav" will arrive in Israel during the course of 2013, upon
the completion and installation of its relevant systems. It is considered
one of the most advanced and sophisticated submarines in the world, and will
be among Israel's most expensive pieces of military equipment.

The Rahav submarine is extremely versatile with a range of capabilities
enabling it to adapt to a multitude of missions. The submarines are the
multiplier force of the Israeli Navy, the IDF, and the State of Israel.