Germany Approves Fifth Israeli Submarine

JERUSALEM, Israel -- Germany announced the delivery of the fifth of six submarines promised to Israel, the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung reported over the weekend.

The submarines, which can be armed with nuclear weapons and used offensively, also bolster Israel's defensive capabilities against missile attacks by Hezbollah, the Lebanese-based Iranian proxy.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah periodically threatens to target Israel's major population centers with longer-range missiles, supplied by Iran and Syria.

Israel's offshore natural gas reserves, which recently became operational, also need protection.

Germany's Federal Security Council approved the delivery of the fifth Dolphin-class submarine, named the INS Rahav.

Last September, the German company ThyssenKrupp delivered number four, the INS Tanin, and the sixth is slated for delivery in 2017.

Negotiations for the submarines have been taking place since 2005.