Arms exports: Submarine deal agreed with Israel

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems is to build three submarines worth a total of three billion euros for Israel in Kiel. The deal is controversial – due to suspicion of corruption and because the submarines could be upgraded with nuclear power.

Israel and Germany have agreed on a submarine deal, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced. Accordingly, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems is to build three submarines for Israel in Kiel. The costs are said to be around three billion euros.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, it is about three submarines of the new “Dakar” class. They are to gradually replace the older ones of the six models from Kiel. The first submarine is to be delivered to Israel within nine years.

Business was on hold due to allegations of corruption

The deal had already been agreed in 2017, but was put on hold due to allegations of corruption. Proceedings are underway against several of those involved, in which former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also questioned.

Netanyahu is said to have pushed through submarine deals against the will of the military and the defense ministry, but was not considered a suspect. The government under the incumbent Prime Minister Naftali Bennet is planning a committee of inquiry.

German subsidy will not be increased

In Germany, the investigations were stopped at the end of 2020 because there was insufficient suspicion. According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the German government should continue to be prepared to support the deal with up to 570 million euros until 2027.

According to the German Defense Ministry, the costs for the deal were originally estimated at 1.8 billion euros. According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, the federal government was not prepared to increase its subsidy because of the increased costs.

Deal is controversial

The delivery of the submarines to Israel is controversial. According to experts, they can be equipped with nuclear weapons.

In the past, the German government justified its support for such deals with Germany’s special responsibility for Israel’s security.