Israel's Nuclear power

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Scorpius

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Israeli national security strategy is founded on the premise that Israel cannot afford to lose a single war. Because the best way to avoid losing a war is to not fight it in the first place, Israeli strategy begins with the maintenance of a credible deterrent posture, which includes the willingness to carry out preemptive strikes. Should deterrence fail, Israel would seek to prevent escalation, and determine the outcome of war quickly and decisively. Since it lacks strategic depth, Israel must prevent the enemy from entering its territory, and must try to quickly transfer the battle to enemy territory.

Israel applies its nuclear weapons to all levels of this formula. The total Israeli nuclear stockpile consists of several hundred weapons of various types, including boosted fission and enhanced radiation weapons ("neutron bombs"), as well as nuclear artillery shells. Strategically, Israel uses its long-range missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft (and, some say, submarines with nuclear-armed cruise missiles) to deter both conventional and unconventional attacks, or to launch "the Samson Option", an all-out attack against an adversary should defenses fail and population centers be threatened. In addition, despite Israel's insistence that it "will not be the first to introduce nuclear weapons into the Middle East," these systems represent an effective preemptive strike force. At the same time, Israel deploys tactical systems designed to rapidly reduce an invading force. Following the 1973 war, Israel fielded at least three batteries of atomic-capable self-propelled 175mm cannons equipped with a total of no less than 108 warheads, and placed atomic land mines in the Golan Heights during the early 1980s.

Nuclear weapons need not be detonated to be used as weapons. Early in the 1973 war, Israel went on a nuclear alert, partly in the knowledge that it would be detected by the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviets, Israel assumed, would restrain their Arab allies while the Americans would speed up resupply efforts. While the USSR did inform Egypt that Israel had armed three nuclear weapons, the extent to which Israel's nuclear alert affected the timing of Washington's subsequent decision to rearm Israel is not clear.

Israel does not have an overt nuclear doctrine beyond its insistence that it will not introduce nuclear weapons into the region. Instead, it follows a policy of what Avner Cohen calls "nuclear opacity" - visibly possessing nuclear weapons while denying their existence. This has allowed Israel to enjoy the benefits of being a nuclear weapons state in terms of deterrence without having to suffer the international repercussions of acknowledging their arsenal. Israel also has a strong commitment to preventing its potential adversaries in the region from becoming declared nuclear weapon states, as evidenced by Israel's 1981 raid on Iraq's Osirak nuclear installation.

Given the very long range of the Jericho-2 missile, some analysts have speculated that this system was developed to deter Soviet intervention in the region. The USSR has always been one of the primary targets of Israel's nuclear force, as Israeli assumptions hold that no Arab nation would attack Israel without Soviet support. The purchase of fifty F-4 fighters from the US in 1968 provided Israel with a platform capable of delivering a nuclear payload as far as Moscow, and it has actively pursued imagery and other information necessary for targeting weapons against the USSR. In 1979, the US agreed to provide Israel with access to high-resolution images of its neighbors taken by the KH-11 satellite. Israel was able to use this agreement to view targets of interest in western Russia (as well as to obtain targeting information for the attack on the Osirak reactor). Israel received more such data during the mid-1980s through the espionage activities of Jonathan Pollard.

Although commonly viewed as the ultimate guarantor of its security, the nuclear option has not led Israel to be complacent about national security. On the contrary, it has impelled Israel to seek unquestioned superiority in conventional capability over the Arab armies to forestall use of nuclear weapons as a last resort - as early as 1962-63, prime minister David Ben-Gurion eschewed restructuring the IDF to base it on nuclear weapons. Instead, IDF doctrine and tactics stress quality of weapons versus quantity; integration of the combined firepower of the three branches of the armed forces; effective battlefield command, communications, and real-time intelligence; use of precision-guided munitions and stand-off firepower; and high mobility.

As of 2004, Israel had not acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (1968). It was, however, a party to the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space, and Under Water (1963).

During the IAEA Director General’s visit to Israel in June 2004, the Israeli officials stated that they would consider the application of Agency safeguards only in the context of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region which they would consider favourably in the context of the peace process and as part of phase II of the “road map to the solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”, developed by the Quartet Group (of the European Union, the Russian Federation, the United Nations and the United States of America), which foresees a “revival of multilateral engagement on issues including…arms control”. The other States of the region maintain that there is no automatic sequence which links the application of comprehensive safeguards to all nuclear facilities in the Middle East, or the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone, to the prior conclusion of a peace settlement, and that the former would contribute to the latter.
No wonder the Saudis and even the Egyptians wanted nuclear weapons.chances of Israel getting rid of those nukes are very very slim.In fact it will never happen.
what are these nuclear artillery shells?me feels like they can never be countered.

Following the 1973 war, Israel fielded at least three batteries of atomic-capable self-propelled 175mm cannons equipped with a total of no less than 108 warheads, and placed atomic land mines in the Golan Heights during the early 1980s.
sounds ....invincible.
off-topic question:Is there a small UN observer force in the Golan Heights by any chance?

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/israel/doctrine.htm
 

Patzek

New Member
As the article perfectly declare,
Israel's nucelar arsenal is a last-resource weapon, and of course, a threat.
I know my country and the people here very very good,
Israel doesn't want and doesn't intend to use its WMD, and in any case, it wont be used as a WMD.
In a case that Israel borders have been breached, and the israeli population is at risk, israel might send a missile to the offender country " open - area " as a threat who say " next time its on your village ".

But israel doesn't going to send a missile to any major city to destroy thousands of civilians.
 

EnigmaNZ

New Member
From what I understand the nuclear weapons are for a last ditch defence if the country is about to be overrun. Durring the last couple of wars when the Israeli forces were close to defeat, I believe they were close to using them. I read somewhere that the US was made aware, that it passed the info to Egypt who halted it's advance. Google it, 3am is too late to be looking for links zzzz.

When a very small country is threatened with destruction by very large neighbours, nukes level the playing field. I don't believe today there is the same need, with peace between Israel and Jordan on one border, and with Egypt on another, along with the might of the Israeli defence forces, however it is still handy to manipulate the US into trying a bit harder, eg to locate Iraqs scuds. A case of "..sorry, but we haven't the man power to help..." "fair enough, if we have to, there is always the nuclear option.." "..no wait, perhaps we can help somehow.." type scenario.

Some one like Iran with nukes is a different scenario altogether, just listen to the hate retirite coming from it's leaders, directed at Israel, and at moderate arab states. Combine that with no fear of death (think 72 virgins), well not quite, the leaders seem to do well when it comes to hiding from getting killed, perhaps they don't believe the "paradise for martyrs" they indocrinate their population with.

There are some good sites detailing Israel's nuclear development under google.
 
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norinco89

New Member
American CIA reported that in the 70s, the isreali nuclear techonology was already better than the french?

Did America give the jews nuclear weapons or did they make their own?
 

Rich

Member
I see Israels nukes as a factor of stability in the region. As probably the only factor that has kept stability, or at least the stability of a balance of forces. Israel is surrounded by a sea of enemies who would love to see the Jews annihilated. They also have the only Democratic Govt. in the region that is elected by its people, indeed have many, many Arab and Muslim citizens who live in peace with the Jews.

All this will change once Iran can arm enough advanced IRBMs and LACMs with nuclear weapons. For geographical and security reasons Israel is extremely vulnerable to a first strike by an enemy with nuclear weapons, even with its sea based strike left intact. The Theocratic Dictators in Iran, especially since they and their families will be safe, will probably think whatever part of their population is "martyred" by the return strike is "worth it" for the destruction of the Jews. This has happened throughout history to the Jews, many, many times. So why wouldn't it happen again?...........................
 

Snayke

New Member
Rich said:
They also have the only Democratic Govt. in the region that is elected by its people, indeed have many, many Arab and Muslim citizens who live in peace with the Jews.
They did once upon a time before Israel was created. Isn't there currently a policy in Israel which mandates that a large majority of the population must be Jewish? I've forgotten what that percentage was. How can these Arab citizens live in peace knowing they are regarded as second class.
 

Patzek

New Member
Snayke said:
They did once upon a time before Israel was created. Isn't there currently a policy in Israel which mandates that a large majority of the population must be Jewish? I've forgotten what that percentage was. How can these Arab citizens live in peace knowing they are regarded as second class.
a mandate?
a policy?

what?!

Israel doesn't have any rules in any thing have to do with the number of kids a family, jewish, arab, russian or whatever will have or not have.
We in Israel WANT and WILL keep the majority of the jews in Israel, but there're no rules and sanctions on any kind of people who have jewish citizenship, and all of the arabs who live in Israel are the same as any other Israeli, they have the same rights, same duties, and treated the same.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
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Verified Defense Pro
Patzek said:
a mandate?
a policy?

what?!

Israel doesn't have any rules in any thing have to do with the number of kids a family, jewish, arab, russian or whatever will have or not have.
We in Israel WANT and WILL keep the majority of the jews in Israel, but there're no rules and sanctions on any kind of people who have jewish citizenship, and all of the arabs who live in Israel are the same as any other Israeli, they have the same rights, same duties, and treated the same.
I'm a bit fuzzy on the current Parl makeup, but I know at one stage there were a min of 6 Arab Parliamentarians in the Knesset.
 

webmaster

Troll Hunter
Staff member
In the news today... works on previously known speculations.

W M D
Israel Seen As Worlds Sixth Nuclear Power

London: Israel, which Tuesday warned Iran against any future attack, is regarded as the sixth country in the world to acquire nuclear weapons -- a title its government has never confirmed or denied. Despite its ambiguous position, the Jewish state is widely regarded as owning at least 200 atomic warheads, making it the only nuclear power in the Middle East.


British defence specialist Jane's puts the figure at "between 200 and 300".


http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/article_005945.php
 

Patzek

New Member
gf0012-aust said:
I'm a bit fuzzy on the current Parl makeup, but I know at one stage there were a min of 6 Arab Parliamentarians in the Knesset.
it is correct, but what the hell the rules have to do with it?
the arabs doesn't go to vote, and 3\4 from those who are going to vote votes for Israelis partys, and not for arabs.
last month we were at a tour in Arab village, in their schools and in the city council, and they all voted for " Meretz " Israeli left party.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Patzek said:
it is correct, but what the hell the rules have to do with it?
You've lost me - I didn't mention anything about "rules"
 
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gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
norinco89 said:
What platforms does the isrealis have to deliever their bombs?

list the missiles

aircrafts

cruise missile

etc.
The fact that they don't confirm or deny that they have nukes means that you won't get anything sensible in a discussion.

One of the biggest clues is that they are known to have miniaturised their nukes. That means portability - and a variety of delivery solutions.

That means air and subs - it wouldn't surprise me if they had miniature nukes for some of their 155mm solutions.
 

Rich

Member
norinco89 said:
What platforms does the isrealis have to deliever their bombs?

list the missiles

aircrafts

cruise missile

etc.
Jericho 1,2, and they are working on a weaponized version of their Shavat space launch vehicle that we will call Jericho-lll. This is a very long range IRBM that is suspected of having a MIRV bus planned which will carry 3 warheads. The Jericho-ll can deliver a 1 mt warhead, tho its actual range is a shaded secret. All 3 IRBMs are road/rail portable.

Israel has three German made Dolphin class submarines each of which has several 25.5" torpedo tubes. Israel doesn't deploy a torpedo of this Dia. and its assumed Israel has deployed the 3rd level of its triad in these submarines in the form of nuclear armed Popeye Turbo LACMs. One such test of this missile was said to be from a range of almost 1,000 miles. Its also suspected they found a way to arm their Yank made Harpoon cruise missiles with a miniature nuclear warhead. Their gravity weapons, aircraft delivery systems, and possible artillery launched weapons have already been mentioned.

So what exactly is the problem? Israel has a fairly large and nimble nuclear triad so only a madman would attack them right? Unfortunately the place is only a muddy spot on the map, and again, for geographical and security reasons these assets are only deployed at a few bases. The IRBMs are at one base, tho they would be transported to dispersed launching points if given time. The Dolphins only base at two naval bases, one on the Med and one on the Red sea. The nuclear tasked aircraft and weapons at only a few air bases. The country itself is only the size of New Jersey and only has 6 million people, 80% of which is in the Tel Aviv area.

So in strictly military terms the country is a tempting target for a first strike once a hostile neighbor can develop enough weapons and sophisticated delivery systems. For instance Iran has shown interest in systems that would be very difficult for an ABM net to intercept. This includes cruise missiles and IRBMs with warheads that can change trajectory in flight and descend at speeds that interferes with tracking.

It was France that gave Israel nukes. They are the ones who built the main reactor/research facility at Dimona, as well as provided key data. South Africa was a key partner with both weapons developement and missile evolution. Actually up till 1973 France was Israels main arms supplier.
 

mysterious

New Member
EnigmaNZ said:
Some one like Iran with nukes is a different scenario altogether, just listen to the hate retirite coming from it's leaders, directed at Israel, and at moderate arab states. Combine that with no fear of death (think 72 virgins), well not quite, the leaders seem to do well when it comes to hiding from getting killed, perhaps they don't believe the "paradise for martyrs" they indocrinate their population with.

There are some good sites detailing Israel's nuclear development under google.
Taking cheap shots at another religion won't get you anywhere. In fact it could get a lot ugly if some of us lost our calm to your veiled attacks.
 

Big-E

Banned Member
EnigmaNZ said:
Some one like Iran with nukes is a different scenario altogether, just listen to the hate retirite coming from it's leaders, directed at Israel, and at moderate arab states. Combine that with no fear of death (think 72 virgins), well not quite, the leaders seem to do well when it comes to hiding from getting killed, perhaps they don't believe the "paradise for martyrs" they indocrinate their population with.


mysterious said:
Taking cheap shots at another religion won't get you anywhere. In fact it could get a lot ugly if some of us lost our calm to your veiled attacks.

I don't see cheap shots, only truth. It is well documented the Ayatolla and President's Anti-Isreali stance ie. "Death to Isreal and America" speeches. To make such statements in the face of a nuclear Isreal seems "no fear" to me. Considering there is no free-press the population is quite literally brainwashed to hear what the Ayatolla wants them to hear.
 
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