Seven years after work on it began, the Israeli Navy's newest submarine, the INS Tanin, docked at the Haifa port on Tuesday. The INS Tanin arrived to a formal ceremony attended by Israel's top political and defense officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Reuven Rivlin, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, and Israeli Navy commander Vice Adm. Ram Rothberg, as well as other former and current navy personnel. In six months, Israel is expected to receive a fifth submarine and toward the end of the decade a sixth. Before the INS Tanin surfaced at the port, the navy held a procession of boats to welcome of the new vessel. When the submarine finally emerged, it was met with wild cheers from the crowd. "The navy's advantage is not just technological," Rivlin said. "Technology allows one to go far and remain hidden from sight, but the spirit of the crew is what really moves that technology forward." Netanyahu said, "This ceremony broadcasts a clear message to our enemies -- that Israel is determined to deal with every threat, every challenge, everywhere." The prime minister praised "the spirit of [Israel's] fighters, brave and determined to defend their homeland with a deep sense of purpose." Netanyahu thanked the German government for what he called its "unique support of Israel's security." Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon cited the need to maintain Israel's qualitative edge. "At a time when the defense budget is once again brought to into question, it is important to remember that Israel faces significant defense challenges, and a constantly changing reality with threats both near and far. Israel's qualitative advantage over other armies and groups that seek to harm us must be maintained." IDF Chief Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz said the INS Tanin will provide the navy with "new fighting abilities and better defense capabilities than ever before."
Credit: Reuters
The INS Tanin, a Dolphin-class submarine built in Germany for the Israeli Navy, will join the three other Dolphin-class submarines in active service.
Welcome home, INS Tanin
Israel's fourth Dolphin-class submarine, the INS Tanin, arrives in Haifa • "This ceremony sends a clear message to our enemies -- that Israel is determined to deal with every threat, every challenge, everywhere," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.
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