Dakar class
The Israeli Defense Ministry on 20 January 2022 said Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems would build three advanced submarines for the Israeli Navy in a deal worth €3 billion ($3.4 billion). It's believed that negotiations on the deal were complicated by a suspected corruption affair connected to Israel's last purchase of German submarines from the Essen-based industrial giant. Israel will buy three Dakar submarines, with the first to be delivered within nine years. The agreement also includes the supply of spare parts and the creation of a training simulator in Israel.
Israel's Navy operates five German-built Dolphin-class submarines and a sixth is under construction. The Dakar submarines will replace three of the aging Dolphins. "The Dakar class will be of a completely new design, which is to be specifically engineered to fulfill the operational requirements of the Israeli Navy," Thyssenkrupp said.
According to the Israeli Defense Ministry, the German government will fund part of the deal through a special grant as part of an accord signed by the countries in 2017. Alongside the submarines, an €850 million agreement was signed with the German government to invest in Israeli industries, including defense firms.
The deal came "at the end of a several-year planning and negotiation process," the Israeli Defense Ministry said. "I would like to thank the German government for its assistance in advancing the agreement and for its commitment to Israel's security," Defense Minister Benny Gantz said. "I am confident that the new submarines will upgrade the capabilities of the Israeli Navy, and will contribute to Israel's security superiority in the region."
The negotiations were said to have been held up in part because of a suspected bribe scandal connected to Israel's 2012 deal to buy Thyssenkrupp submarines. It embroiled several top military officials and associates of former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Two of Netanyahu's closest colleagues were accused of lobbying Israeli defense officials to choose the submarine arm of ThyssenKrupp for a government contract. Thyssenkrupp said an internal investigation found no evidence of corruption in its handling of the sales, and Israeli officials have taken no action against the conglomerate.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett commented on the procurement agreement that was signed between Israel and Germany: "The signing of the submarines agreement significantly strengthens Israel's national security. Acquiring the submarines will ensure continuity in capabilities as well as our strategic supremacy for years to come. Since the establishment of this government, we have taken strict care to proceed properly and in a substantive manner regarding all aspects of Israel's security procurements, including on this matter. I would like to thank all those who took part in bringing the deal to fruition after long delay, especially my friends, the former Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, and the current chancellor, Olaf Scholz."
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