13.10.2009
Israel addressed to Germany with a request to sell one more Dolphin-class submarine which is going to be the sixth, says United Press International. Israel also wants Germany to participate in financing of the purchase.
Precedently, Germany subsidized Israel in financing of five such submarines. The subs are built at
Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG shipyard belonging to
Krupp Corporation; it is the largest German shipyard and has about 2 400 workers.
First two subs –
Dolphin and
Leviathan – were Germany's present planned to hush up a scandal of German companies' contribution to Saddam Hussein chemical weapons. Helmut Kohl being Chancellor of Germany at that time counted upon the fact that execution of Israeli order would help to reserve jobs and save defensive companies.
Kohl also reduced half price of
Tehumah, the third submarine delivered to Israel.
Fourth and fifth
Dolphin-class subs were delivered to Israel last month; Israel paid two thirds of market price.
Israel launched negotiations about the sixth sub, although hoping German government will partially subsidize the purchase. Estimated cost of one
Dolphin is $750 mln.
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