According to the Israeli Ministry of Defence, “signatures have been signed” with the German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for the construction and development of three new advanced Dakar-class submarines.

The value of the contract has been the subject of controversy, as it seems that the final price for the total arms “package” has been increased by 1. 2 billion euros and is now estimated at around 3 billion euros. Βut the reason for the change in price is that the new advanced Israeli submarines appear to have a formidable firepower, with a vertical launch system (Vetical Launch System – VLS) with four to six “cells“.

This will provide the capability to launch long-range cruise missiles equipped with nuclear warheads for a second nuclear strike, as well as 16 torpedo tubes, from which unmanned submarine systems can be launched, while the submarine is expected to be longer in order to provide sufficient space for the integration of the new weapons systems.

It is also worth noting that the two sides signed an agreement worth more than €850 million for Israeli-German strategic industrial cooperation, which includes investments in Israeli defence companies, the construction of a training simulator in Israel and the supply of spare parts. According to Israeli media reports, the first submarine is expected to be delivered within 5 years, i. e. in 2027.

The case of the supply of the three German submarines has occupied the country‘s political scene in recent times. Last Friday, the offices of the Israeli Defense and Foreign Ministers had stated that the government would vote last Sunday to set up a committee of inquiry into the so-called “submarine affair“, but this did not happen and the process was delayed due to the ongoing negotiations between the Israelis and the Germans.

On the contrary, the agreement was approved “in secret” by the ministerial procurement committee without the country‘s parliament being notified or informed, probably because it was known to the government that several MPs would criticise and oppose the completion of the deal, following the increase in the price of the submarines.