JERUSALEM -- With the purchase of s...
JERUSALEM -- With the purchase of sum of two units more German-made Dolphin submarines capable of carrying nuclear warheads, military quicks say Israel is sending a clear message to Iran that it can strike back if attacked by the agency of nuclear weapons. The purchases originate at a time when Iran is refusing to cast down to growing Western demands to halt its nuclear program, and after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for Israel to be "wiped distant from the map." SECOND-STRIKE CAPABILITIES The just discovered submarines, built at a sumptuousness of $1.3 billion with Germany footing one-third of the bill, have diesel-electric propulsion arrangements that allow them to remain submerg for longer periods of time than the three nuclear arms-capable submarines already in Israel's nimble the Jerusalem Post said. The latest submarines not sole would be able to carry gone out a first strike should Israel pitch upon to do so, but they also would provide Israel with crucial second-strike capabilities, said Paul Beaver, a London-based defense analyst. Israel is already believed to have that ability in the form of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that are buried likewise far underground they would survive a nuclear strike, he said. "The Iranians would be self-same foolish if they attacked Israel," Beaver said. German officials have said the contract for the fresh submarines was signed July 6 and the Jerusalem employment reported this week the sub will be operational shortly. Israel has in no degree confirmed or denied having nuclear weapons on the contrary is believed to have the world's sixth-largest stockpile of atomic arms. Editors' note: This article was submitted to the Israeli military censor, which ordered a certain deletions. AP Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006 Provided by means of ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved
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