Israel-bound submarines banned from testing in Norway's waters
Oslo decision means German shipbuilder HDW will have to carry out deep-water testing of Israeli vessels elsewhere.
By Anshel PfefferIsrael-bound submarines will no longer be allowed to undergo tests in Norwegian territory, as part of the country's ban on security exports to Israel, Norway has informed a German shipbuilder.
In early 2011, the Israeli navy is due to receive one improved Dolphin submarine built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW ), a German shipbuilding company based in Kiel. It is scheduled to receive another one in 2012.
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One of the navy’s Dolphin submarines off the Israeli coast in 2008. |
| Photo by: Tomer Appelbaum |
HDW leases a Norwegian submarine base to test its new submarines.
The first new Dolphin submarine has begun water trials, supervised by an Israeli team in Germany.
Following Oslo's decision, the German shipbuilder will have to carry out its deep-water testing at another site.
The Israeli navy's Squadron 7 has been using three Dolphin submarines for the past decade. The two new submarines are costing about 1.3 billion euros, according to German media reports, and Germany is funding a third of that.
The navy is expanding its submarine capabilities and doubling the number of operational crews, enabling them to undertake long-range missions far from their home port.
Israel and Germany recently discussed building a third submarine, Defense News reported.
The new submarines have an advanced propulsion system that enables them to stay submerged for up to three weeks.
In addition to their combat and intelligence gathering missions, Dolphin submarines are equipped with nuclear-head cruise missiles, according to foreign media reports.
Four months ago a Dolphin submarine passed southward via the Suez Canal in what was seen as an Israeli move to position a submarine in Persian Gulf waters.
HDW shipyards, one of the largest in the world, leases from the Norwegian government the Marvika submarine base on Norway's southern shore as a base for testing new submarines. During WWII this port served as a base for the German fleet's submarines.
The port serves as a departure point for deep-water experiments of up to 700 meters, and Israel's first three Dolphin submarines were tested here. Such experiments are necessary to locate structural weaknesses in the submarines' system, and are part of every new submarine's trial process.
Norway's foreign ministry advised HDW several weeks ago that it will no longer allow it to use its territory for naval experiments on submarines intended for the Israeli navy.
This is not Norway's first security boycott on Israel. A year ago the Norwegian State Pension Fund announced it was dropping Elbit Systems due to the manufacturer's involvement in building the West Bank separation fence.
The Norwegian treasury said the fence was infringing on Palestinians' human rights.
Israel's Foreign Ministry declined to comment.
Norway's foreign ministry commented that it does not respond to specific decisions regarding the export of military equipment and services.
When asked about these developments on Norwegian television last week, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said, "We have extremely rigorous restrictions on exporting security goods and services ... we don't export materials or services to states at war or in which there is a danger of war."
He did not mention Israel directly.
The German Thyssenkrupp group, which owns the shipyards that manufacture the Dolphin submarines, declined to comment.
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in order to defeat israeli intransigense and its lawless deds, and allow legality and the observance of international law to be supreme and undisputed, one must be prepared to act in a watchful and tough, and unbending way. certainly not obama's way , but like the norwegian way.
"... able to undertake long-range missions far from their home port." shame on oslo!
I have immediately started lobbying Nick Clegg to ensure UK waters cannot be used either
No way will I ever put foot in that country of hypocrites. I take it then that Norway sells arms to countries that do not need them and I bet they rip them off into the bargain.
Kongsberg Våbenfabrik needed the money ..
From a Norwegian stand, I am again shocked over our buyist liberal government. I would just like to add, majority of Norwegians supports Israel!
Supporters of Israel worldwide unite in a boycott of all Norwegian goods. This isn't the first example of Norway's hostility to Israel and it won't be the last. Most of what you can get from Norway is available from Canada and Peru, i.e., salmon, anchovies, sweaters, and copper products. By the way, alpaca and vicuna sweaters made in Peru are great!
Nice to see a country not dominated by WW2 shame or pro-israeli money in its politics, like U-knowS-who
These Norwegians - they're a homogeneous population of a few million who are all the same, with no enemy. Without any worries these days of being invaded by Germans or Russians, it's politically convenient for them to preach against the Jews from their moral lectern - usually a winning formula up there in Scandinavia (among other places).
Israel attack Tunesia
Israelis should be shunned and isolated. If you meet one --turn your back---hold your nose---withdraw your hand ---treat them with the contempt they have so richly earned. Much like one would avoid a piece of dog doo on the street.
Israeli Submarines are needed as a nuclear launch platform . That has always been an option if it comes to this. They are a second strike vehicle, among other things. Obviously subs may come in handy in attacking Iran. There are other covert operations and also intelligence gathering. They are not going away.
The Zionist state is a creation of the west and it is an outpost in the Arab and Muslim heart. This entity which is now so strong is still enjoying all kinds of free support and financing. Germany was dearly punished, and it pays hefty reparation to the Jewish organizations and to Israel.
I hope they know who are their enemy lately I do not know that since they try to make Turks an enemy, I think Israel has peronio, and declaring Turks as enemy makes no sense
Why are there more and more people who do not like us around the world? What are we doing wrong?
it might make their real fears "go away".
minding their own business comes second !!
who cares about going to israel, this is my last place in earth i want to visit. if only by force
Norway has contributed much to Western civilization,, uh, sardines and, oh yeah, Quisling.
Norway is a soverign country and can decide to allow or ban such things in her own territory. What's the part you don't get?
BTW the Dolphin U Boote carries tipped Turbo Popeye cruise missiles...2 are on station in the Indian Ocean as we speak. Go ahead Teheran, make our day.
What is Norway known for but the Norway Rat ! Do it anyway.
Even though in this case it's a token gesture that amounts to no more than an inconvenience, at least it has the integrity to stick by its principles! Bravo!
since it's notorious for doing the same! Besides, do you really want Norway to come right out and say it's boycotting Israel - when it's obvious that it IS? Why should it have to justify a boycott that is justifiable in itself?
Israel will continue testing it's new subs just on the edge of Noways waters staying in international waters. Norway would never do anything to attack Israeli subs with Israeli F-15I Fighter Bombers Flying overhead. Every country with subs comes very close to penetrating coastal waters. It is time for Israel to demonstrate it's powers to those European Countries who think they can intimidate Israel or interfere with contractual agreements with countries such as Germany. The US uses it's military power everyday with our 12 nuclear aircraft carriers to demonstrate to the world don't screw with us or our interests around the world. Israel needs to put a little fear into the Norwegians that they are not safe or secure should they continue to support radical Muslims. The Germans need to put a little fear into Norway that they are interfering with it's business and to but out.
That's the way it is. Truly-uly-uly is.
against dangerous humanitarian flotillas bound for Gaza. Then there's the threat of the Palestinian Navy. This is all very expensive, but thank God for the German taxpayer.
create nice waves for surfing Gaza beaches
Oslo's choice makes no sense.
Contradiction in terms
Israel admits running the Dimona reactor with Norway's heavy water since early 1960's and admits that the reactor has made plutonium. Norway has still has never been allow a single full on-site inspection.
BLOODYSCOT :PLEASE GIVE ME A LEGIMATE SOURCE…We searched 3 prime Us Govt Agencies records and checked with international orgs for period 1955 thru 1970 and can't find anything even remotely like this.
always will
Oslo policy makes no sense. So they wouldn't help countries that are defending themselves? But they would help an authoritarian regime like Saudi Arabia that is not at the moment in a state of war?
I don't understand... from which navy is Israel worried about ?? certainly not the Arabs...
after all what can a sub do other than shoot at fishing boats of the pals. oh wait thats right the fishermen are a threat to isrls security.
Israel is the aggressor who has used the guilt of the Holocaust to blackmail nuclear armed submarines from Germany.
Norway does not export arms or security equipment to non-NATO stattes (i.e. non-allies) that routinly are worst case Human Rights breakers. What made you think that Norway helps Saudia Arabia? is it just a silly propaganda line you use, or did you actually belive it? Norway, unlike the USA, does NOT export arms to autocracies, period. It also does not export to Israel for because of its conflict with the palestinians. Thanks for reading.
The double standards in Scandinavia is reaching ever new levels. There is little or no focus on the crimes committed by Hamas. Quite the contrary. Hamas is treated like a normal government with few faults. The US and Germany should take this up with their "fair weather friend" Norway.
If you are concerned about double standards, then you should be calling for Hamas to have the same weapons of war as Israel - make a nice level playing field, eh?
so that is hardly going to happen. Besides Germany provides nuclear armed submarines to Israel despite the fact that Israel is at war with Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and has threatened to wipe Iran off the map.
this is just simply "hypocrisy" in the norwegian part, such government & its officials should balance their world affairs!
as usual you are trying to make the rest of us criminals for not supporting ur crimes. lol amazing truly amazing.
What is hypocritical with refusing to enable Israel to acquire a second strike nuclear capability, whilst imposing sanctions against Iran simply on the belief that they are pursuing a nuclear weapons programme?
Norway exports weapons to NATO and many other countries - but lets concentrate on NATO as an example. NATO Countries are using the weapons in Afghanistan, Iraq and other conflicts. Well guess what these are countries at war or where war is likely (well likely to continue ...) - and Norway has no Boycotts - Funny .....
because I can say anything here too.
I love Norway, too.. Thanks a lot, Norway..
Only good thing out of that country came Ah-ha that was it. It will be future Palestinian territory like the rest of liberal Europe.
when th epals move there will u take your war into europe?
your just lealous that Norway sends the UK a christmas tree every year and you don't get one.
Economic and diplomatic sanctions and an arms ban.
Immediately and completely cease ALL activity with Israel. Recall every single diplomat, shred any accord they may have with Israel, and kick out every single Israeli that's in Norway. Let the Israelis know that there's consequences for their actions, and it's time for them to learn this. That's a lesson my country should have taught Israel so long ago, but the cowards and traitors that comprise AIPAC would scream and foam at the mouth like rabid dogs if we so much as tried.
Bet they're trembling in their boots about that.
obviously Norway has every right to make such a decision. If only Israel would do the right thing and be serious about international law regarding the people they currently control. The world would open up again that way.. Please .. make peace..
I guess that is time to start dropping Norwegian stocks from our pension funds. I am sure that if we look careful enough we would find that Norway sends war materiel to various EU nations that are presently participating in the war in Afghanistan..... Tomorrow morning I am asking my stock broker to sell my position on NORSK HYDRO A/S...... and pick up Elbit (ESLT NASDAQ) instead Cheers Jed Nightingale
If you want to put your pension funds in a country which is under the shadow of an iranian nuclear programme with no real long term future in it's present configaration, then please do so. But keep the 'we' out of it.
Tell them to stay home. Who needs Norway?
and who needs Israel?
Carry on bob.
"Who needs Norway?" "Who needs Turkey?" "Who needs ...?" What else? By thinking this way, you dont get it, that you are going to stay alone worldwide. USA already snactioning himself from the world, by sanctioning countries. What you think will happen to a country, who is sanctioning others like a berserker? The last point in this issue is going to be China. After that, US-Dollar will be a bunch of paper. Regards
otherwise she won't get special favoured friends status within the EU
even be participating in UEFA's champion's league. sport is sport, alright. but israel is israel.
I´ll rather tell all you isarelis to stay home where ever that is. Who needs Israel?
Got any plans of driving a car, bus or airplane in the foreseablet future?