Israel gets fifth German submarine

Haifa (Israel) (AFP) - Israel on Tuesday took delivery of its fifth German-built submarine, an advanced Dolphin-class vessel said to be capable of remaining submerged for up to a week.

Speaking at an official welcome ceremony at the northern port city of Haifa, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the undersea fleet allows Israel "to deter enemies who seek to destroy us."

"They should know that Israel can strike very hard indeed at anyone who tries to harm it," he said.

The new arrival is named "Rahav" after a biblical sea monster.

"Rahav will take an active part in defending the state of Israel and its territorial waters, operating deeper, further, and for longer from the very depths -- with a watchful eye," President Reuven Rivlin said at the ceremony.

Foreign military sources say the Dolphins can be equipped with missiles armed with nuclear warheads.

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