IDF won't base submarines in Eilat
Reuters reports that the IDF will not base any of its Dolphin-class submarines in Eilat. As you may recall, on Sunday one of the three submarines passed through the Suez Canal on its way back from Eilat. The absence of an Eilat submarine base means a Gulf-bound Dolphin has to use Suez, fully exposed. The canal is too shallow to submerge in.I still wonder (and suspect) that one of those submarines is or will be sitting in or on its way to the Indian Ocean sometime soon.
A more discreet option would be to sail round Africa. But such a trip would take weeks and limit Israel's ability to signal readiness to retaliate should it ever come under Iranian nuclear attack.
The Dolphins are widely assumed to carry nuclear missiles, though Israel refuses to discuss this. Their conventional weapons could be used should Israel attack Iran's atomic sites, which Tehran insists are for peaceful purposes only.
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The lack of space, and fears that the narrow Red Sea could be blockaded at the Straits of Tiran should there be a regional war, led Israel to rule out a full-time Dolphin presence.
"Submarines need the open water, and that's just not available at Eilat," said a senior naval source.
"Also, the navy cannot take on the logistical burden of setting up two bases, with all the specialized needs in terms of equipment, maintenance crews and security safeguards, for a submarine fleet that, at most, will comprise five Dolphins."
At the Dolphins' main base, the Mediterranean port of Haifa, work is under way on covered docks that would allow greater concealment for the submarines, the source said.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:54 PM
2 Comments:
The idea that a strike against Iran would employ an EMP is thrilling...
For month's I have been freaked out about north korea or Iran using emp's....
I completely forgot that WE already have that ability...
What better way than using an emp over Iran to help disarming them...
excellent..
I've been saying that for some time now. I just wonder if that's another excuse. Israelis have become good at finding them. The spirit seems to be gone that used to say if there's a problem, there's a solution - and there's a will to reach the goal no matter what obstacles where in the way. I wonder what happened to that country.
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