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Reply With QuoteNope. Just because the Sunday Times has some speculations doesn't mean they are true
Israel Stations Nuclear Missile Subs off Iran
Monday, 31 May 2010 12:11 PM Article Font Size
interesting, does this mean Israel is finally coming out of the bag about having nuclear weapons?Israel is planning to permanently station a submarine carrying nuclear cruise missiles in the Persian Gulf, the Sunday Times reported on Sunday.
Israeli submarines have visited the Gulf before, but the decision has now been taken to ensure a permanent presence of at least one of the vessels. One is already en route to the Gulf, according to the report.
The paper claims that the government has decided to station at least one of three submarines armed with nuclear missiles permanently within striking distance of Iran in thePersian Gulf.
According to the article the submarines are moving to the Persian Gulf in response to the growing missile threat to Israel from Syria, Iran and Hizbullah.
Israeli submarines are known to periocially visit the area but this is the first report that they may be permanently stationed there.
The diesel powered submarines are Dolphin class and were built in Germany to Israeli specifications.
Nope. Just because the Sunday Times has some speculations doesn't mean they are true
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Abusing Yellow is meant to be a labor of love, not something you sell to the highest bidder.
The speculation at play here is three-fold-
1.) Does Israel possess nuclear weapons?
2.) If so, have those weapons been modified to an SLCM delivery system?
3.) What is the range of that delivery system?
The speculation is yes, they have nukes; yes, they've been mated to a compatible SLCM system aboard their Dolphin-class submarines; and, yes, they've the requisite range-
Popeye Turbo-FAS
"In May 2000 Israel is reported to have secretly carried out its first test launches from two German-built Dolphin-class submarines of cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The missiles launched from vessels off Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean are said to have hit a target at a range of about 1,500 kilometers [about 930 statute miles]. Israel is reported to possess a 200kg nuclear warhead, containing 6kg of plutonium, that could be mounted on cruise missiles."
930 miles is considerable but, depending upon launch point, still not encompassing all of Iran. OTOH, doing so isn't a requirement to hit Iran's key facilities. Four of the key targets can be seen on the map-Bandar-e-Bushehr, Isfahan, Qom, and Arak. Natanz is located very near Kashan. Natanz, Qom, Arak, and Isfahan are all clustered west/southwest of Tehran.
Still, the Dolphin would likely need to enter the Persian gulf. Doing so might not be easy. I guess that's why they're submariners...)
"This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs
How long can a diesel electric sub stay in the Persian gulf? Wouldn't it be dangerous for a sub in such a confined water? How are the logistics like for stationing a sub so far from friendly ports?
"Only Nixon can go to China." -- Old Vulcan proverb.
Seems like bad politics if it's true. They gain nothing.
Except deterrence. Basically letting Iran know: You have nowhere to hide
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Abusing Yellow is meant to be a labor of love, not something you sell to the highest bidder.
Won't the diesel sub have to come up for air every couple of weeks...if so won't she be monitored in the gulf by the Iranians pretty easily?
They will choose when and where, also remember you have USN ships in the gulf as well as normal gulf shipping/tanker traffic. They can use this to their advantage.Originally Posted by calass
Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.
Also they got two Dolphins with AIP, though I don't know if they can fire those missles like their normal Dolphins...and isn't just claiming to have a sub there almost enough? As long as Iran does not know the location of all Israeli subs they'll have to assume that one is there and they just can't find it.
Exactly.
"How many mines do you need to lay a mine field? None, you just need a press release"
I wonder if deterrence is something that will work with Iran, or whether this Israeli action, real or not, will just set the Iranians more firmly on their goal to have their own nukes.
Deterrence comes into play by limiting Iran's nuclear options. It could bring the game back to base; if Iran can support militant groups under nuclear umbrella, than Israel can also still conduct strikes against Iran under a nuclear umbrella. Unless ofcourse, Iran decides to commit nuclear suicide, but they won't, A-jad's lunatic antics aside, Iran has yet to fulfill its ambitions and replace the Saudis as the leaders in the region.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.
Sir,
I see you have Bandar Bushehr on your target list.
I would like to know about your reasoning b/c AFAIK that reactor is light water incapable of producing weapon grade fission material.
OTOH there are probably over 1000 Russian engineers and Techs working there and informing them to leave will alert Iranian authorities that some one or some thing is coming.
Which ports can they call, if they require?
And on the sixth day, God created the Field Artillery...
Major,
Can you elaborate a bit more about the question? Thanx.
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