They
move silently underwater, but don’t let the quiet fool you –
these are sophisticated tools of war. This unseen world is the everyday
landscape of the Israel Navy. A special IDF submarine course is training
increasingly larger numbers of sailors to operate the Navy’s next
generation of submarines. Three of these submarines originated in the
IDF’s possession, and an additional submarine was brought to Israel
as part of an agreement with Germany.
The stealth of submarines provides Israel with a key advantage in top-secret
operations. ”Our contribution during times of peace is with tremendous
amounts of intelligence. The submarine is a spy tool and we do not ignore
that,” stressed Major Y, the commander of the submarine operation
school at major a naval training base. “During times of war, submarines
are one of the most far-reaching instruments in the IDF. You do not
know where it is and do not know where it will sink you,” Major
Y added. |
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“Six
months ago, our largest submarine course began, so that we would have
enough people to run the new submarines,” said Major Y. Even with
larger numbers of soldiers being drafted into submarine service, the
evaluation process for recruits is highly competitive. Of those seeking
to join the crew, only one out of every ten is accepted.
After the arrival of the Tanin (Crocodile) submarine last year, the
Navy expects to add another advanced submarine, the INS Rahav, to its
fleet in 2014. “The new submarines are almost identical to the
ones before, but they are newer and bigger,” said Major Y. In
anticipation of the vessel’s arrival, the Navy is updating lesson
plans and syllabi for the training of its newest operators. Some of
the course’s graduates will have the opportunity to inaugurate
the new submarine when it arrives.
According to Major Y., Israel’s submarines are among the most
advanced in the world. “The incoming submarines are the best conventional
submarines in the world,” he said. I think we’re at one
of the highest levels of submarine operation, both in terms of safety
and in terms of preparedness.”
Serving in a submarine is highly confidential work, and the Navy reveals
little of the actual intensity it involves. “There are always
submarines at sea. Wherever you place your finger on a map of the sea,
there may be a submarine there,” Major Y stressed.
From IDF Blog |
