Israeli military sources report that the two corvettes are needed to meet the build-up of Iranian submarines and Syria warships in the Mediterranean Sea.

Israel needs to defend its coastal infrastructure facilities such as power stations and naval bases which Israel intelligence fears will be at risk in a regional war.

The order was placed during Israeli chief of staff Lt. Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi’s three-day visit to Berlin this week as guest of the German high command, in addition to two Dolphin submarines already commissioned.

The German corvette is a 2,200-tonner, 91 meters long and 13.4 meters wide. It carries a crew of 94, a medium-sized helicopter on its deck and 24 weapons systems. Its great advantages are its formidable firepower and advanced radar-evading capabilities.

Angela Merkel government’s coalition agreement provides for the phasing out of the Germany fleet operating off Lebanese shores as part of the UN peacekeeping mission. It includes two corvettes which Israel hopes will be made quickly available.

Source: DEBKAfile Special Report