DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 8, 2012

Defense News: DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 8, 2012

 Source: U.S. DoD issued No. 355-12 May 8, 2012

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 8, 2012: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  May 8, 2012   are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

NAVY

            Blue Tech, San Diego, Calif. (M67854-12-D-4099); CDWG, Vernon Hills, Ill. (M67854-12-D-4100); Countertrade, Arvada, Colo. (M67854-12-D-4101); Dell, Round Rock, Texas (M67854-12-D-4102); GTSI Corp., Herndon, Va. (M67854-12-D-4103); Intelligent Decisions, Inc., Ashburn, Va. (M67854-12-D-4104); Iron Bow Technologies, Chantilly, Va. (M67854-12-D-4105); ITG/EPLUS, Falls Church, Va. (M67854-12-D-4106); NCS Technologies, Inc., Gainesville, Va. (M67854-12-D-4107); and World Wide Technology, Inc., St. Louis, Mo. (M67854-12-D-4108), are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract for commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) computer systems, including ruggedized and non-ruggedized desktops and laptops, as well as servers and other associated computer equipment and accessories.  This equipment, collectively referred to as Marine Corps Common Hardware Suite computing equipment, will provide standardized computing equipment and worldwide integrated logistics support for the Marine Corps operating forces and to the Department of Navy, while achieving the lowest cost of ownership through centralized procurement of high quality, COTS hardware.  The aggregate not-to-exceed amount for these multiple award contracts combined is $775,000,000 and represents a three-year base period with a two-year option, and the companies will have the opportunity to bid on each individual delivery order.  Work will be performed in various locations in and out of the United States, depending on which companies receive the delivery orders.  Funds will be obligated at the delivery order level; therefore there are no expiring funds.  These contracts were solicited via a multiple award electronic request for proposals and 14 offers were received.  Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

            Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Integrated Systems Sector, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $25,709,758 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0041) to purchase three Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicles Lot 5 low rate initial production and one ground control station.  Work will be performed in Moss Point, Miss. (55 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (45 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2013.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. 355-12 May 8, 2012
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DTN News - INTELLIGENCE REPORT/NEWS: CIA Derails Plot To Plant Al-Qaida Underwear Bomb

Defense News: DTN News - INTELLIGENCE REPORT/NEWS:  CIA Derails Plot To Plant Al-Qaida Underwear Bomb
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Adam Goldman and Matt Apuzzo - AP (Fox & Yahoo)
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 8, 2012:  Experts at the FBI's explosives lab in Virginia are picking apart a sophisticated new al-Qaida bomb to figure out whether it could have slipped past airport security and taken down a commercial airplane. U.S. officials say the unexploded bomb represents an intelligence prize, the result of a covert CIA operation in Yemen that thwarted a suicide mission in recent weeks.

The device did not contain metal, meaning it probably could have passed through an airport metal detector. But it was not clear whether new body scanners used in many airports would have detected it.

The device is an upgrade of the underwear bomb that failed to detonate aboard a jetliner over Detroit on Christmas 2009.

-The CIA thwarted an ambitious plot by al-Qaida's affiliate in Yemen to destroy a U.S.-bound airliner using a bomb with a sophisticated new design around the one-year anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden, The Associated Press has learned.

The plot involved an upgrade of the underwear bomb that failed to detonate aboard a jetliner over Detroit on Christmas 2009. This new bomb was also designed to be used in a passenger's underwear, but this time al-Qaida developed a more refined detonation system, U.S. officials said.

The FBI is examining the latest bomb to see whether it could have passed through airport security and brought down an airplane, officials said. They said the device did not contain metal, meaning it probably could have passed through an airport metal detector. But it was not clear whether new body scanners used in many airports would have detected it.

There were no immediate plans to change security procedures at U.S. airports.

The would-be suicide bomber, based in Yemen, had not yet picked a target or bought a plane ticket when the CIA stepped in and seized the bomb, officials said. It's not immediately clear what happened to the alleged bomber.

White House spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said President Barack Obama learned about the plot in April and was assured the device posed no threat to the public.

"The president thanks all intelligence and counterterrorism professionals involved for their outstanding work and for serving with the extraordinary skill and commitment that their enormous responsibilities demand," Hayden said.

The operation unfolded even as the White House and Department of Homeland Security assured the American public that they knew of no al-Qaida plots against the U.S. around the anniversary of bin Laden's death. The operation was carried out over the past few weeks, officials said.

"We have no credible information that terrorist organizations, including al-Qaida, are plotting attacks in the U.S. to coincide with the anniversary of bin Laden's death," White House press secretary Jay Carney said on April 26.

On May 1, the Department of Homeland Security said, "We have no indication of any specific, credible threats or plots against the U.S. tied to the one-year anniversary of bin Laden's death."

The White House did not explain those statements Monday.

The AP learned about the thwarted plot last week but agreed to White House and CIA requests not to publish it immediately because the sensitive intelligence operation was still under way. Once officials said those concerns were allayed, the AP decided to disclose the plot Monday despite requests from the Obama administration to wait for an official announcement Tuesday.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security acknowledged the existence of the bomb late Monday, but there were no immediate plans to adjust security procedures at airports. Other officials, who were briefed on the operation, insisted on anonymity to discuss details of the plot, many of which the U.S. has not officially acknowledged.

"The device never presented a threat to public safety, and the U.S. government is working closely with international partners to address associated concerns with the device," the FBI said in a statement.

It's not clear who built the bomb, but, because of its sophistication and its similarity to the Christmas bomb, counterterrorism officials suspected it was the work of master bomb maker Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri or one of his protégées. Al-Asiri constructed the first underwear bomb and two others that al-Qaida built into printer cartridges and shipped to the U.S. on cargo planes in 2010.

Both of those bombs used a powerful industrial explosive. Both were nearly successful.

The operation is an intelligence victory for the United States and a reminder of al-Qaida's ambitions, despite the death of bin Laden and other senior leaders. Because of instability in the Yemeni government, the terrorist group's branch there has gained territory and strength. It has set up terrorist camps and, in some areas, even operates as a de facto government.

But along with the gains there also have been losses. The group has suffered significant setbacks as the CIA and the U.S. military focus more on Yemen. On Sunday, Fahd al-Quso, a senior al-Qaida leader, was hit by a missile as he stepped out of his vehicle along with another operative in the southern Shabwa province of Yemen.

Al-Quso, 37, was on the FBI's most wanted list, with a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture. He was indicted in the U.S. for his role in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole in the harbor of Aden, Yemen, in which 17 American sailors were killed and 39 injured.

Al-Quso was believed to have replaced Anwar al-Awlaki as the group's head of external operations. Al-Awlaki was killed in a U.S. airstrike last year.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources  By Adam Goldman and Matt Apuzzo - AP (Fox & Yahoo)
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 7, 2012

Defense News: DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 7, 2012

 Source: U.S. DoD issued No. 351-12 May 7, 2012

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 7, 2012: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  May 7, 2012   are undermentioned;

   CONTRACTS

NAVY

                 Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $237,740,000 modification to the previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-fee (firm target) F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Low Rate Initial Production IV contract (N00019-09-C-0010) for changes to the configuration baseline hardware or software resulting from the JSF development effort.  This modification increases the concurrency cap for the U.S. Marine Corps and United Kingdom short take-off vertical landing aircraft; Air Force and Netherlands conventional take-off and landing aircraft; and Navy carrier variant aircraft.  The concurrency cap establishes the threshold at or under which the contractor is obligated to incorporate government-authorized changes.  Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to span multiple years.  Contract funds in the amount of $222,600,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract modification combines purchases for the Navy ($153,200,000; 64.5 percent); Air Force ($69,400,000; 29 percent); the United Kingdom ($8,200,000; 3.5 percent); and the Netherlands ($6,940,000; 3 percent).  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

                 Vericor Power Systems, L.L.C., Alpharetta, Ga., is being awarded a $23,571,200 firm-fixed-price contract for the manufacture, testing, and delivery of 16 ETF40B marine gas turbine engines in support of the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), and the repair/refurbishment of 16 output group modules for LCAC engines.  The LCAC engines are an integral part of the SLEP and are provided to the SLEP contractor as government-furnished equipment for installation into existing LCACs.  The SLEP will extend the service life of LCAC from 20 to 30 years; sustain/enhance craft capability; replace obsolete electronics; repair corrosion damage; reduce life cycle cost by improving reliability and maintainability; increase survivability; and establish a common configuration baseline.  The LCAC SLEP scope of effort includes repair and upgrade of the buoyancy box; gas turbine engine replacement (this contract); installation of a new skirt; installation of an integrated C4N equipment package; and accomplishment of selected craft alterations and repair work.  This contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $60,717,056.  Work will be performed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and is expected to complete by June 2013.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Naval Sea Systems Command is the contracting activity. (N00024-12-C-4154)

                 Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Ft. Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $14,165,940 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N00019-02-C-3002) to implement required design changes that allow coalition training operations for the Joint Strike Fighter Program.  Work will be performed at Orlando, Fla. (55 percent), Fort Worth, Texas (34 percent), and El Segundo, Calif. (11 percent).  Work is expected to be completed in December 2016.  No funds are being obligated at time of award.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. 

                Precise Contracting*, Memphis, Tenn. (N40083-12-D-5006); Chief Electric*, Memphis, Tenn. (N40083-12-D-5007); R.L. Alvarez Construction*, Clarksville, Tenn. (N40083-12-D-5008); and EML*, Franklin, Tenn. (N40083-12-D-5009), are each being awarded a design-build multiple award construction contract for design, construction, and renovation of government facilities in the Naval Support Activity (NSA) mid-South area of responsibility (AOR).  The scope of work for the seed project is for energy enhancements to various buildings:  457, 768, 769, 784, 785, 791, 455, and 456.  The maximum dollar value, including the base period and two option years, for all four contracts combined is $10,000,000.  Precise Contracting is being awarded task order 0001 at $1,995,887 for energy enhancements to buildings 457, 768, 769, 784, 785, 791, 455, and 456 at NSA Mid-South, Millington, Tenn.  Work for this task order is expected to be completed by May 2013.  All work on this contract will be performed in Millington, Tenn.  The term of the contract is not to exceed 36 months, with an expected completion date of May 2015.  Contract funds in the amount of $2,025,887 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 11 proposals received.  These four contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Midwest/Public Works Department Mid-South, Millington, Tenn., is the contracting activity. 

                Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $7,708,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-03-C-5115) for DDG 51-class and CG 47-class Aegis combat system installation, integration, testing, and fleet life-cycle engineering support of the Program Executive Officer for Integrated Warfare Systems.  The required engineering for DDG 51-class and CG 47-class ships includes program management and operation support, quality assurance, configuration management, ship design integration, fleet lifecycle engineering support, installation support, firmware maintenance, combat system test and evaluation, Navy-furnished material support, special studies, and future-ship integration studies.  Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J. (55 percent); Norfolk, Va. (18 percent); Baltimore, Md. (15 percent); San Diego, Calif. (5 percent); Bath, Maine (2 percent); Washington, D.C. (2 percent); Pascagoula, Miss. (1 percent); Port Hueneme, Calif. (1 percent); and Syracuse, N.Y. (1 percent).  Work is expected to completed by September 2012.  Contract funds in the amount of $875,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.  

                The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $16,254,426 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-fee contract (N00019-09-C-0019) for aircraft armament equipment for the F/A-18 E/F and EA-18G aircraft, including jumper bundles, pylon attach fittings, sensor well covers, adaptors, and plyons.  Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be completed in May 2015.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. 

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

                Gentex Corp., Carbondale, Pa., was awarded a firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract with a maximum $21,600,000 for advanced combat helmets.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is July 31, 2013.  The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM1C1-12-C-0016). 

AIR FORCE

                Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Simulator, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $7,595,742 firm-fixed-price contract for C-130 aircrew training.  The locations of performance are Pulaski County, Ark.; Cobb County, Ga.; Taylor County, Texas; Pierce County, Wash.; and Hennepin County, Minn.  Work is to be completed by Nov. 30, 2014.  ASC/WNSK, Wright Patterson, Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8223-11-C-0001 P00023). 

*Small business

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. 351-12 May 7, 2012
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DTN News - NICOLAS SARKOZY: Is A Different Kind Of French President - Populist, Flamboyant, Gentle - Media Is Going To Miss The Humble Nicolas Sarkozy

Defense News: DTN News - NICOLAS SARKOZY: Is A Different Kind Of French President - Populist, Flamboyant, Gentle - Media Is Going To Miss The Humble Nicolas Sarkozy

*Nicolas Sarkozy is the biggest victim of Europe's debt crisis

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Economic Times
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 7, 2012: Nicolas Sarkozy is the latest national leader toppled by Europe's debt crisis after the fall of governments in Ireland, Portugal, Slovakia, Italy, Greece, Spain and the Netherlands.

IRELAND

Prime Minister Brian Cowen was the first victim of the debt crisis when his Fianna Fail party, which dominated political life for 80 years, lost a general election in February 2011.

Cowen was replaced by Enda Kenny, of the conservative Fine Gael, who runs a coalition government that some months later was offered better repayment terms on a 2010 rescue package that many Irish took as a blow to national pride.

PORTUGAL

Prime Minister Jose Socrates resigned in March 2011 after parliament rejected a fourth austerity package in less than a year.

After conservatives won June elections, new Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho urged the country for "much courage" to face up to more belt-tightening.

SLOVAKIA

The centre-right government headed by Iveta Radicova lost an October 2011 confidence vote she called to secure the country's backing to beef up the eurozone rescue fund, the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF).

Slovakia, whose approval was needed to strengthen the 17-nation bailout facility, finally approved it in a second vote won with the support of the opposition. On March 15, 2012, leftwing leader Robert Fico won the election.

ITALY

Silvio Berlusconi resigned on November 12, 2011 after losing his parliamentary majority.

The 75-year-old media mogul, long a fixture of Italian politics, handed over to ex-European commissioner Mario Monti who set up a government of technocrats named to implement a tough anti-crisis austerity plan backed by the country's main parties.

GREECE

Socialist Prime Minister George Papandreou stepped down on November 11, 2011 and was replaced by Lucas Papademos, a former deputy governor of the European Central Bank and ex-governor of the Greek central bank.

Papandreou faced fierce resistance to austerity measures demanded in return for fresh international loans to save Greece from bankruptcy.

But Greek voters angry over austerity dealt a major blow to mainstream parties in weekend elections, making it unclear how a new government will be formed.

SPAIN

Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, facing a groundswell of discontent over successive austerity packages, decided to bring forward by four months to November 20 a vote initially scheduled for March 2012.

The election was won by conservative Mariano Rajoy who is implementing tough austerity measures to ward off market pressure despite fierce opposition protests.

NETHERLANDS

Prime Minister Mark Rutte handed in his minority government's resignation on April 23, 2012 after failing to win support from the far-right to adopt a bid to reduce the country's public deficit to 3.0 percent as agreed under eurozone rules.

An election has been scheduled for September 12.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Economic Times
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DTN News - MID EAST HOT SPOTS: Saudi Arabia Is Israel’s Last Hope ~ Report

Defense News: DTN News - MID EAST HOT SPOTS: Saudi Arabia Is Israel’s Last Hope ~ Report
*The Al Saud family is very important to Israel because Saudi Arabia is very actively working in countries such as Yemen, Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon to reduce Iran's influence in those countries.”  Tel Aviv University Report
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Press TV
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 6, 2012: A recent report by Tel Aviv University says Saudi Arabia is the last hope and defense line for Israel and describes the Saudis as Tel Aviv’s last chance to protect its political interests in the Arab world.

The report said most of Israel’s allies in the region have collapsed and cannot play a significant role in the Arab world. 

It added that Saudi Arabia is the only country that stands against the Islamic Republic of Iran and thus it is Tel Aviv’s last line of defense against Tehran. 

The report noted that the Al Saud family is very important to Israel because Saudi Arabia is very actively working in countries such as Yemen, Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon to reduce Iran's influence in those countries. 

Last March, a senior Egyptian cleric accused Saudi Arabia and Qatar of meddling in the internal affairs of other Muslim nations, calling the two states “Israel’s servants.” 

Sheikh Mohammad Alaedin Madhi said the two countries were implementing an Israeli-US plan in Syria. 

He also criticized the Saudi-owned television network Al-Arabiya and the Qatar-owned broadcaster Al-Jazeera for "serving Israeli interests." 

Moreover, in emails leaked by WikiLeaks and obtained by the Beirut-based newspaper Al-Akhbar, it was revealed that Saudi Arabia had reached out to the Mossad, which assisted the kingdom with, as Al-Akhbar reports, "intelligence collection and advice on Iran." 

According to a source quoted in the emails, "Several enterprising Mossad officers, both past and present, are making a bundle selling the Saudis everything from security equipment (to) intelligence and consultation."

Related Stories:

• Israeli Knesset to be dissolved
• Saudis hold anti-government rally
• ‘US, KSA against democracy in Bahrain’
• Saudis hold anti-regime rally in Qatif

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Press TV
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DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Iran, Pakistan, N. Korea May Pose Nuclear Threat to Russia

Defense News: DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: Iran, Pakistan, N. Korea May Pose Nuclear Threat to Russia

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Ria Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 6, 2012: A nuclear-armed Iran, Pakistan and North Korea could potentially trigger regional chain reactions that ultimately threaten Russia's security, the former director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, Vyacheslav Trubnikov, said.

“Even if Iran, Pakistan and North Korea are not Russian adversaries, their current and projected nuclear potential could destabilize the regional situation. It could trigger a chain reaction of proliferation (Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan) that gives rise to a new missile threat for Russia,” Trubnikov said in an article included in the digest for an international conference on missile defense in Moscow.

History shows that relations with unstable states and radical regimes can rapidly deteriorate and their nuclear potential could become a real threat to Russian national security, Trubnikov said.

That is why Russia needs to work toward mutual understanding with the United States and NATO on the issue of missile defense, he said.

Russia's military leadership has for the first time acknowledged a nuclear threat from Iran and North Korea.

“The threat is always there, so we closely monitor the nuclear program developments of many countries," Army General Nikolai Makarov, the chief of the General Staff, told RT television.

"The analysis that we conducted together with the Americans confirms that, yes, there is a probability that the threat exists. And we agreed that it is necessary to create a missile defense system,” Makarov said.

The Russian Defense Ministry has previously held that there is no nuclear threat to Europe and Russia from Iran and North Korea, because they do not have the capacity to build nuclear weapons or deliver them.

“Many countries that claim not to possess nuclear weapons do in fact have them,” Makarov said.

“Certainly, if it gets into the hands of extremists, it represents a threat to international security,” Makarov said.

He added that in order to counter these threats, Russia is ready to work together with other countries.

“Let's solve this problem. Let us work together to get rid of the threats that may arise, not only for Europe but for Russia because we too are part of Europe,” the general said.

North Korea has conducted two underground nuclear weapon tests, in 2006 and 2009.

Earlier in April South Korean media reported that intelligence indicated North Korea was preparing a third in a row underground nuclear test. The information was based on satellite photographs of North Korean test site, where underground nuclear test had been previously conducted.

U.S. and other Western countries suspect Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the guise of peaceful nuclear energy program. Tehran denies the charges, saying its nuclear program is aimed at meeting the country's electricity needs.

Related News

• Russian Military Concedes Iran, N. Korea Nuclear Threat
• Iran, World Powers Resume Nuclear Talks
• North Korea Prepares for Underground Nuclear Test
• Nuclear-Armed Iran ‘Unacceptable’ – Pentagon

Multimedia

• Peaceful Nuclear Energy or Nuclear Weapons?
• How the nuclear weapons era began
• North Korean nuclear facilities
• World’s nuclear states map

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Ria Novosti
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DTN News - ISRAELI DEFENSE NEWS: Israel Gets Its 4th German-Made Nuke-Capable Submarine

Defense News: DTN News - ISRAELI DEFENSE NEWS: Israel Gets Its 4th German-Made Nuke-Capable Submarine
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Press TV
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 6, 2012: Israel has taken delivery of its fourth German-made Dolphin-class submarine capable of carrying nuclear warheads with an operating range of 4,500 kilometers (2796 miles).

The INS Tannin submarine was delivered to Israeli naval officials in Hamburg, Germany on Thursday and is expected to undergo final tests before arriving in Israel in 2013, the Associated Press reported. 

Israeli Minister of Military Affairs Ehud Barak said that the submarine will increase Tel Aviv's capabilities and strength in the face of regional challenges. 

An Israeli navy official said the submarine can "stay underwater for longer." 

Israel had placed order with Germany for the submarine as well as its fifth Dolphin-class sub in 2006, while, in 2012, the two sides signed a contract for a sixth such submarine. The fifth and sixth orders are due for delivery in 2014 and 2016 respectively. 

Three earlier-model Dolphin submarines were delivered to Israel between 1998 and 2000. 

The Germans paid for the first two and split the cost of the third with Israel. Tel Aviv paid only one-third of the cost for the fourth one. 

Israel is the only possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East and has never allowed international inspections of its nuclear facilities nor has it joined the Non-Proliferation Treaty based on its policy of nuclear ambiguity. 

Related Stories:

• 'Israel frightened of its own shadow'
• 'Israel the nuclear threat, not Iran'
• Straw affirms Israel nuclear capability
• Germany to sell Israel new nuke sub
• Anti-Israel sentiments on rise in Europe

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Press TV
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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