Germany OKs selling nuke-capable submarines to Israel

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Germany and Israel are signing an agreement today for the sale of three more submarines to Israel, a German government spokesman announced on Monday.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, government spokesman Steffen Seibert said the government would provide financial support for Israel’s purchase of three more high-tech vessels from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, but did not specify the amount.

“Thereby, Germany can contribute to the protection of Israel, and safeguarding its existence, against the background of our historical responsibility for the state of Israel,” he said.

German weekly Der Spiegel reported that Germany would subsidize a third of the €1.5-billion ($1.7 billion) deal, which would boost the size of Israel’s nuclear-capable submarine fleet.

The submarines would go into service starting in 2027, replacing the three oldest submarines in the fleet.

- Corruption claims

The recent agreement between Germany and Israel came despite an ongoing investigation in Israel of corruption claims surrounding the huge military deal.

It was revealed last year that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s lawyer David Shimron also worked as an advisor for the Israeli representative of ThyssenKrupp.

Netanyahu was a strong supporter of the submarine deal.

The submarine deal also sparked debate in Germany in the past, with opposition parties warning it would be a wrong signal for Israel and could undermine regional stability.