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Israel's fifth Dolphin-class submarine, the INS Rahav, unveiled during ceremony in Kiel, Germany

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Naval Forces News - Israel
 
 
 
Israel's fifth Dolphin-class submarine, the INS Rahav, unveiled during ceremony in Kiel, Germany
 
Israel's fifth Dolphin-class submarine, the INS Rahav, was unveiled on Monday, April 29 at a special ceremony in Kiel, Germany attended by Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy Rear Adm. Ram Rothberg, Director-General of the Ministry of Defense Maj. Gen. (Res.) Ehud Shani and a delegation of Israeli and German officials.

The ceremony culminated in the smashing of a celebratory bottle of champagne on the hull of the new vessel.

The Dolphin is a versatile vessel, possessing a wide range of capabilities fit for a large variety of missions. The submarine fleet represents the technological cutting-edge of the Israeli Navy, the IDF and the State of Israel. Soldiers in the Israeli Navy's submarine fleet engage in operational activity day after day under a heavy veil of secrecy.
     
Israel's fifth Dolphin-class submarine, the INS Rahav, was unveiled on Monday, April 29 at a special ceremony in Kiel, Germany attended by Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy Rear Adm. Ram Rothberg, Director-General of the Ministry of Defense Maj. Gen. (Res.) Ehud Shani and a delegation of Israeli and German officials.
One of the three "First Generation" Dolphin class Submarine (SSK) currently in service in the Israeli Navy. The 3 new submarines will be enhanced with AIP system among other new technologies.
(Picture: Internet)
     
Israeli Navy already operates three Type 800 Dolphin class diesel-electric submarine based on the German 209 class submarine design (Dolphin commissioned in 1999, Leviathan in commissioned 2000, Tekumah commissioned in 2000). In 2006 Israel signed a contract with Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to purchase two additional submarines from its HDW subsidiary. The two new boats are an upgraded version of the older Dolphins, featuring an AIP (Air-Independent Propulsion) system, similar to the one used on German Type 212 submarines.

An AIP system allows a submarine to operate without the need to surface or use a snorkel to access atmospheric oxygen therefore increasing diesel-electric submarines stealth and endurance. AIP offers diesel-electric submarines a remarkable increase in capability.

The new Israeli submarines are nammed Tannin and Rahav. Tannin was delivered last year. Israeli Navy had an option for a third unit.