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An Underwater Response to the Iranian Nuclear Program

(Ha'aretz) Reuven Pedatzur - * On Tuesday, an agreement will be signed for the supply of two German-built Dolphin submarines to the Israel Navy. There is a direct link between Israel's submarine procurement and the Iranian nuclear program. * As it emerged during the Cold War period, the development of a second-strike capability is the most effective deterrent in the face of a nuclear threat: the development of weapons systems that the enemy cannot destroy even if it launches a surprise nuclear strike. Submarines offer the most reliability when its comes to second-strike capability. They are difficult to locate, and even more difficult to hit. * Foreign sources say that Israeli officials have decided to use the submarines to develop a second-strike capability and, as a result, the vessels have been equipped with nuclear missiles. The acquisition of the additional submarines will allow the Israel Navy to have two submarines out at sea on a permanent basis, and thereby significantly boost Israel's deterrent reliability in the face of a nuclear enemy. * A nuclear Iran is not a heartwarming vision, but the right kind of preparations on the part of Israel in the face of the expected threat could neutralize it.
2005-11-22 00:00:00
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