source: © 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
Israel's plans to build what is described as a high-tech, "super
amphibious attack ship" as the cornerstone of a new naval strategy
for the 21st century is certain to raise objections in the Arab
world, says a report in the latest issue of Joseph Farah's G2
Bulletin, the premium online intelligence newsletter published by
WND.
According to the plan presented by Gen. Ydidya Yaari, the navy will
undertake a new role by introducing a multi-purpose attack ship
capable of deploying anywhere in the Mediterranean and with a range
of up to 3,200 kilometers.
This newly visualized unit is described as a 13,000-ton ship that
will become the largest Israeli navy surface vessel capable of
carrying armor, commando troops, helicopters and unmanned
drones.
In addition, the navy envisions even more capabilities, such as
launching decks for short takeoffs and landings and aircraft
including the future U.S. main attack F-35 fighter jet.
The vessel is being developed parallel to planning of the Saar-5-II
multi-purpose high-tech battleship, which is already in the
blueprint stage with a planned investment of $1 billion. U.S.
companies such as Lockheed-Martin and Northrop-Grumman are involved
with the plan and are apparently ready to shift to the more
ambitious project initiated by Yaari.
Sources in the Israeli navy say Yaari is willing to shelve the
Saar-5-II project and to divert a similar budget, and even more,
toward the futuristic attack vessel. Israeli Chief of Staff General
Moshe "Buggi" Yaalon is now studying all the pros and cons of the
proposed project.
A preliminary decision is expected on the future of the project no
later than this month, G2 Bulletin reports.
Other sources say it will take much longer if the decision favors
the plan since the IDF will have to introduce the project to the
Ministry of Defense, which will then have to raise the issue with
the prime minister and the Cabinet.
A well-informed source in Israel's prime minister's office told G2
Bulletin, "such an ambitious plan will have to be discussed with
the U.S., which may be under pressure by Arab countries, especially
Egypt, to do everything possible to sink the concept before it is
tendered."
A source linked to the American defense industry says this
diplomatic battle is already in progress since U.S. manufacturers,
under threats of huge contract cancellations by such countries as
Greece and Turkey, may produce more allies for the plan.
It is believed the new concept will be developed and, to a large
extent manufactured, in the U.S., providing much-needed jobs. It is
also believed the futuristic idea is so unique it might catch the
attention of the Pentagon, especially the U.S. Navy. Undoubtedly
other countries such as Australia, South Korea and Taiwan are
closely following all aspects of the revolutionary new idea.
With a crew of 115, the new unit would become the largest in the
Israeli navy and would serve as leverage to change Israel's current
defense strategies by viewing and preparing for new threats
stemming from the war against terrorism. It would also distinctly
contribute to the defense against missile attacks, since the idea
is to incorporate in such a naval unit not only an attack force,
but also high-tech defense systems designed to intercept missiles,
enemy submarines and to warn of any possible danger to Israel and
her allies.
Opponents of the project claim this super-naval unit will demand
the building of additional long-range missile boats of the Saar-5
group, a large 1,200-ton missile boat, to be deployed as part of a
new fleet aimed at providing escort and communication services to
the highly innovative and multi-purpose new vessel.
From a strategic point of view, the plan reveals some of Israel's
visions for the future of warfare as a whole. It identifies a need
to be more aggressive when fighting terrorism at its source,
believing the new military reality in the Mediterranean, and
possibly also in the Red Sea, will show the need for a massive
strike capability anywhere and at anytime.
Together with the top-secret Israeli submarine force, which
includes three German-made Dolphin-class diesel-electric-powered
submarines, and the overall concept of utilizing high-tech missile
boats, Israel will have a strategic tool capable of forcing hostile
countries, especially terror-hosting countries, to re-think their
relationship with such phenomena as global jihad. In addition,
Israel is planning to upgrade three older British-made
submarines.
According to a number of international sources, the main submarine
force is armed with nuclear-tipped missiles. It is believed the
submarines are patrolling such delicate areas as the Straits of
Hormuz and the Gulf of Sidra off Libya's shores. Some analysts
believe the presence of Israeli submarines in that area, together
with information collected by Israel's spy satellites, played a
major role in identifying Libya's nuclear plans.
The Dolphin subs represent the heart of Israels "second strike"
capability. This term is used by Israeli strategists to indicate
that Israel will not be the first to use weapons of mass
destruction, but will do everything necessary to prevent further
development of an Islamic A-bomb.
One source claims Moammar Ghadafy was pushed to reconciliation with
the West when confronted with intelligence showing Israeli subs
lurking in his waters ready to strike should his WMD ambitions go
too far.
Naval experts believe Yaari's vision is that of a combined
high-tech naval fleet capable of responding to any threat, from
traditional weapon systems all the way to WMDs. Essentially the new
plan is a blueprint for future navies of medium-sized military
forces where high-tech and space-age technologies compensate for
the needs of large battleships, destroyers and even aircraft
carriers, leading to a more combined force concept.