Israel and Germany Sign Agreement for Submarine

Israel has added another Dolphin-class submarine to its fleet, after consummating a deal with Germany a few weeks ago, according to a Jerusalem Post report.

The deal had been in the works for a year, and Germany announced in November 2011that it had consented to the deal. Media reports had claimed that the German government was considering backing out of the deal in response to Israeli construction in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo, which Germany considers 'occupied territory'.

Germany has agreed to partially subsidize the submarine's construction, in addition to the two that are currently being assembled in Germany.

Israel’s submarines reportedly carry cruise missiles with nuclear warhead payloads, furnishing second-strike capability.