Dolphin class submarine

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The Dolphin class is a non-nuclear (SSK) type of submarine developed and constructed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW), Germany for the Israeli Navy. It is based on the export-only German 209 class submarines, but heavily modified and enlarged and is thus not seen as a member of the 209 family. The Dolphin boats are considered to be among the most sophisticated and capable conventional submarines in the world.

Israel signed a contract with ThyssenKrupp to purchase two additional submarines from its HDW subsidiary. The two new ships will be an upgraded version of the old Dolphins, and are going to feature an Air-independent propulsion system, similar to the one used on U214 submarines. On July 6, 2006, the Government of Germany decided to pay an advance to start the construction, about 170 millions euro. The two submarines will cost, overall, around 1.3 billion euros, of which one third will be paid by Germany.[1] The first one is scheduled to be completed in 2012.

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[edit] Ships

  • Dolphin 5/1998
  • Leviathan 1999
  • Tekumah 1999

The first two (Dolphin + Leviathan) were donated by Germany, only the third (Tekumah) was purchased by Israel (Germany still paid for half of the costs). During the first Gulf War, German firms were accused of helping Iraq with her chemical weapons program, which led to protests in both Germany and Israel. To calm Israeli feelings, compensate Israel for economical losses and keep German shipyards occupied, Helmut Kohl decided to donate the two submarines.[2] The Dolphins have replaced the aging Gal class submarines which served in the Israeli navy since the late-1970's.

[edit] General Characteristics

  • Displacement: 1,640 tons surfaced, 1,900 tons submerged
  • Diving depth: at least 200 m
  • Dimensions: 57 x 6.8 x 6.2 meters (187 x 22.5 x 20.5 feet)
  • Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 3 diesels, 1 shaft, 4,243 shp, 20 knots
  • Crew: 35 + 10 passengers
  • Armament: 6 x 21 inch torpedo tubes (Sub-Harpoon Missile launch capable), 4 x 25.5 inch diameter torpedo tubes. Also able to deploy mines.

It is widely suspected that the four larger 25.5 inch torpedo tubes could be capable of launching nuclear-armed Popeye Turbo cruise missiles with a range of up to 1500 km [3], as well as launching underwater swimmer delivery vehicles [4].

[edit] References

[edit] Disambiguation

USS Dolphin (SS-169) and USS Dolphin (AGSS-555) are unique submarines of the United States Navy. When there is only one-of-a-kind ship made for the US Navy, it is called a "type" ship rather than a "class" of ship, therefore when a person refers to the "Dolphin-class" they are probably referring to the German made submarines such as those sold to Israel.

The Dutch navy also had a Dolfijn-class diesel-electric submarine, with a unique internal layout of three pressurized cylinders configured in a triangle.

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