What You Need to Know: Israel's Dolphin-class submarines provide a potent yet under-discussed dimension of its defense. Comprised of Dolphin-I and Dolphin-II types, these German-built diesel-electric subs enhance Israel's Mediterranean operations.

-Dolphin-I lacks air-independent propulsion (AIP), limiting its endurance, while Dolphin-II, featuring AIP, enables longer submerged missions and is Israel’s most expensive military asset.

Nuclear Weapons? Armed with torpedo tubes that can launch mines, cruise missiles, and possibly nuclear-tipped Popeye Turbo missiles, these subs are rumored to offer Israel a second-strike nuclear capability. With Iran's potential nuclear development looming, Israel’s Dolphin-class may increasingly become a critical part of its strategic deterrent.

Israel’s Secretive Dolphin-Class Subs: The Ultimate Deterrent?

Israeli military capabilities have been front and center in world coverage lately. But most of the coverage centers on Israel’s army, their air force, their Iron Dome, their nuclear ambiguity. Little attention, relative, is paid to Israel’s naval forces.

Israel is fortunate to have access to the Mediterranean Sea, and from there, the open ocean. Accordingly, Israel has built for themselves a respectable navy featuring seven corvettes, eight missile boats, 45 patrol boats, four support ships – and five submarines.

The five submarines are all members of the Dolphin-class, a diesel-electric model based on the German 209-class. Two types of Dolphin have been built: the Dolphin-I and the Dolphin-II. The two types are similar; the Dolphin-II is longer, though. Here are the full specifications for the two types.

The Specifications of the Dolphin

Let’s walk through the specs for the Dolphin-I first. Submerging 1,900 tons when submerged, the Dolphin-I measures 188-feet long and is capable of hitting a top speed of 23 miles per hour. The Dolphin-I is distinct from the Dolphin-II in that the Dolphin-I does not have an air independent propulsion system (AIP). An AIP is a system that allows a non-nuclear submarine to operate without atmospheric oxygen. In an effort to modernize the fleet, the Israelis are set to replace their non-AIP Dolphins with Dakar-class submarines, which will feature AIP technology.

The Dolphin-II meanwhile displaces 2,400 tons when submerged. Longer than the Dolphin-I, the Dolphin-II measures 225-feet, and can reach a higher top speed, 29 miles per hour, than it’s non-AIP sibling. The Dolphin-II does feature AIP technology. The Dolphin-II has a few distinctions. One, the submarine is the largest to have been built in Germany since the end of World War II when Kriegsmarine “wolfpacks” haunted the Atlantic. Two, the Dolphin-II is the single most expensive vehicle in the entire Israeli Defense Force inventory.

The armament of the Dolphin

The Dolphin-class submarines are outfitted with six 533-mm torpedo tubes and four 650-mm torpedo tubes. The larger of the torpedo tubes can be used for laying mines, cruise missiles, and even swimmer delivery vehicles.

The Dolphin is understood to be nuclear armed. Of course, Israel has remained ambiguous with respect to their nuclear capabilities – but few doubt the Israelis have crossed the nuclear threshold. If true, the nuclear-armed Dolphin gives the Israelis second strike capability. The nuclear warhead would likely be attached to one of Israel’s Popeye Turbo cruise missiles, which could be launched from one of the Dolphin’s larger torpedo tubes. The second strike capability, in theory, would give any nation pause with respect to launching a nuclear attack against Israel. Although, Israel’s gravest enemies do not currently possess nuclear weapons, Iran is understood to be a threshold state, on the cusp of developing their own nuclear weapon. Should that day come, Israel will lean more heavily on the Dolphin, as a metho of nuclear deterrence.

About the Author: Harrison Kass 

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

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