Report: Israel test fired nuclear capable, sub-launched cruise missiles http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2000/06/19/News/News.8366.html By Douglas Davis The Jerusalem Post LONDON (June 19) - Israel secretly test-fired cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons off the coast of Sri Lanka last month, the Sunday Times of London reported yesterday. Quoting Israeli defense sources, the paper reported that the tests were conducted from two German-built, Dolphin-class submarines and involved Israeli-made missiles equipped with conventional warheads hitting targets at sea at a range of about 1,500 kilometers. The sources were quoted as saying the launches were intended to simulate swift retaliation against a preemptive nuclear attack from Iran. Israel is only the third country - after America and Russia - to acquire the ability to fire nuclear-capable cruise missiles from submarines. The navy dismissed the report. "The report is baseless. This kind of test firing did not take place," said a statement by the IDF Spokesman. Nevertheless, reports of the Dolphin's cruise-missile capability continue to surface in the foreign press. Israel has never admitted that it has any cruise missiles and has sought Tomahawks from the US, which has so far rejected the request. However, according to Jane's Defense Weekly, Israel has modified the Popeye Turbo into an air-launched cruise missile with a range of over 200 km. The Popeye was developed and built by Rafael, which has a sophisticated missile development division. TAAS-Israel Industries has also developed the air-launched Delilah cruise missile, which has a range of 400 km. The Dolphin has 10 multi-purpose torpedo tubes which are designed for 21-inch diameter weapons. The submarines, which were originally turned down because they were too expensive, were given to Israel at cut rates during the Gulf War as compensation for Iraq's development of non-conventional weapons using German technologies. A third submarine is expected to be operational within weeks. The paper said Israel, which already has land- and air-based nuclear weapons, now plans to equip each of the three submarines with four cruise missiles. Under a system of rotation, the paper continued, two of the vessels will remain at sea - one in the Red Sea, the other in the Mediterranean, while the third will be kept on standby. The missiles, said the paper, will be fired only after approval by four people: the prime minister, defense minister, chief of General Staff, and navy commander. The 1,720-ton diesel-electric Dolphin submarines - twice the size of Israel's 23-year-old Gal-class submarines - are among the most technically advanced of their kind. They are virtually impossible to detect and can remain at sea for up to 30 days. According to the Sunday Times, Israel's intention to use the submarines as "roving nuclear launch platforms" had long been suspected, but few experts had expected Israel to develop the capability to fire submarine-based cruise missiles so soon. It said planning for a submarine-launched nuclear deterrent was accelerated after the Mossad reported in the early 1990s that Iran would be capable of staging a nuclear missile attack against Israel by 2000. Latest estimates put the threat back two years, said the paper, but uncertainty over Iran's level of nuclear capability has not reduced Israel's drive to bolster its defenses. The paper said "elite crews" have been assembled to man the submarines and that the 35 officers and men aboard each vessel have been nicknamed "Force 700" because of the average 700 points they are required to score in psychological tests - equivalent to an IQ rating of 130-140. Another five specially selected officers solely responsible for the warheads will be added to each vessel once the missiles are operational. The paper quoted a US defense analyst as saying: "This is certain to irritate the Clinton administration. It makes it that much harder to get non-proliferation to stick in the Middle East." (Arieh O'Sullivan contributed to this report.) <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html <A HREF="http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
