Dolphin.

This is coolbert:

Once again, the Israeli Dolphin class submarines are back in the news.

"FROM THE GALIL REPORT Israel enhancing nuke-capable submarines
Diplomatic channels working to secure travel, refueling routes to waters near Iran"

[this report is not entirely clear.]

[see what someone else has to say about this!]

For instance:

"The submarines usually patrol in the Indian Ocean."

"Israel has discussed travel routes with foreign governments for the submarines to reach the Persian Gulf, within firing distance of Iran."

"They said Egypt has denied Israel the ability to travel through the Suez Canal, but the Jewish state through diplomatic channels has secured the ability to travel to the Gulf via the Mediterranean."

UNCLEAR what is afoot here!!

Evidently two of the three submarines are on station in the Mediterranean and the third in dock refitting at any given time. Access to the Red Sea and subsequently to the Indian Ocean has hitherto not been possible??

Of course, these are the submarines reputed to be fitted with some sort of nuclear capable cruise missile. A missile that would put all of Iran in range of the ultimate Israeli firepower if launched from firing positions in the Indian Ocean.

Refueling is a concern too. Eritrea is supposedly a big player here. The tiny and rather insignificant nation abutting Ethiopia HAS a port that could be used for refueling. The Dolphin class is reputed to have only a thirty day fuel capacity.

The Israeli of course, is very proficient at modifying a basic system to make it MUCH better. Wait and see that the Israeli finds a way to double the endurance time of these Dolphins.

Given the current climate against Israel in the aftermath of the Lebanon war, I bet the Egyptians WILL NOT give these submarines passage through the Suez Canal. They already have NOT done so!!??

What alternative is there? A large barge, land-going, to move the submarines to Eilat and the Gulf of Aqaba? That should make a sight!

The above is not so preposterous. When the Soviets built the White Sea canal connecting the White Sea with the Baltic, submarines could only transit the canal on the back of a barge! The canal was not built to a sufficient depth.

[supposedly the Israeli has already tested, some years ago now, an advanced cruise missile for their submarines. Did so off the coast of Sri Lanka. The Mossad ex-katsa [case officer] Victor Ostrovsky said that Israel does have strong military ties to Sri Lanka. Well, if this is so, how did the sub get their in the first place if not through the Suez Canal?? Around the Cape of Good Hope for instance? Basing and refueling? India??]

coolbert.