Israel seeks sixth Dolphin in light of Iranian 'threat'

As the threat of Iran obtaining nuclear capabilities looms, Israel is seeking to build a sixth Dolphin-class (Type 800) attack submarine, believed to be part of the country's nuclear second-strike capability.

With three Dolphin-class submarines in service and two under construction by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel and Thyssen Nordseewerke in Emden, the Israel Navy (IN) has initiated discussions with the German government on building a sixth boat.

Under the 2006 contract, Israel is funding two thirds of the cost of building Dolphins four and five, while the German government will fund the remaining third of the project, which is estimated to cost a total of EUR1 billion (USD1.46 billion).

The contract does include an option for building a sixth boat, although it is not yet clear how Israel will finance it as the IN is already struggling to receive funding to build two multimission corvettes.

"The need for a sixth submarine is recognised; now we need to find the funding," a senior IN source told Jane's .