Dolphin class submarine
INS Dolphin (2010)
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| Class overview | |
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| Builders: | Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) |
| Operators: |
 Israeli Navy
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| Preceded by: | Gal class |
| Completed: |
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| Active: | 3 (another 2 fitting-out and undergoing sea trials, plus 1 on order) |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Diesel-electric submarine |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: |
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| Beam: | 6.8 m (22 ft) |
| Draught: | 6.2 m (20 ft) |
| Propulsion: | Diesel-electric, 3 diesels, 1 shaft, 4,243 shp (3,164 kW) |
| Speed: |
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| Test depth: | At least 350 m (1,150 ft) |
| Complement: | 35 + 10 additional |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
STN Atlas ISUS 90-55 combat system |
| Armament: |
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| Notes: | Unless noted, characteristics listed are those of the original 1990s non-AIP-capable model |
The Dolphin class is actually two related sub-classes of diesel-electric submarine developed and constructed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW), Germany for the Israeli Navy. The first boats of the class were based on the export-only German 209-class submarines, but modified and enlarged. The Dolphin 1 sub-class is slightly larger than the German Navy Type 212 in length and displacement. The three newer air-independent propulsion (AIP) equipped boats are similar to the Type 212 vessels in underwater endurance, are 12 metres (39 ft) longer, nearly 500 tonnes heavier in submerged displacement and have a larger crew than either the Type 212 or the Type 214.
The Dolphin 2-class are the largest submarines to have been built in Germany since World War II. The Dolphin class boats are the most expensive single vehicles in the Israel Defense Forces. The Dolphin-class replaced the aging Gal-class submarine, which had served in the Israeli navy since the late 1970s. Each Dolphin-class submarine is capable of carrying a combined total of up to 16 torpedoes and SLCMs. The cruise missiles have a range of at least 1,500 km (930 mi) and are widely believed to be equipped with a 200 kiloton nuclear warhead containing up to 6 kilograms (13 lb) of plutonium. The latter, if true, would provide Israel with an offshore nuclear second strike capability.
Dolphin class
AIP Dolphin 2 class
First budgeted in July 1989 and ordered in January 1990, by November the order was cancelled due to budget reallocation aimed at countering Iraqi threats made against Israel following the Iraqi invasion and annexation of neighboring Kuwait during leadup to the 1991 Gulf War. Funding for first two boats (Dolphin and Leviathan) was fully subsidized by the German government to restart the construction program and the third (Tekumah) received a 50% subsidy. During the first Gulf War, it was revealed that German firms had assisted Iraq with modernizing its ballistic missile and chemical weapon programs, thanks in part to lax enforcement by German customs, in violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime protocols which West Germany had in 1987 acceded to. These enhanced missiles bringing Israeli cities into Iraqi targeting range for the first time and included supplies and factories for modern weaponized mustard and nerve gas. Though not a belligerent in the Gulf War, Israeli cities were nevertheless bombarded with these upgraded Iraqi missiles. To compensate Israel for war related damage and economic losses and keep German shipyards occupied with a high profile project in the post Cold War defense spending downturn then Chancellor of Germany Helmut Kohl approved an assistance package to German industry including the construction of two Dolphin-class submarines.
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Wikipedia