Germany approves export of 5th submarine to Israel

The German Federal Security Council is reported to have approved the export of a fifth out of six promised Dolphin class submarines to Israel, Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported on Friday.

Israel received the fourth of the submarines last September from the ThyssenKrupp Company.

According to the newspaper, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government’s decision has been criticised for financing a third of the submarine’s cost and for the vessel’s capability to carry nuclear weapons.

According to the newspaper, Israel can choose between installing Popeye air-to-surface Turbo missiles developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems or tocontinue using the US made Harpoon missiles.