TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- A new submarine from Germany is sailing toward Israel to join the Israeli Navy following crew training in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
The vessel is the INS Tanin, the fourth of six Dolphin-class submarines Israel ordered from German shipbuilder Howaldtswerke Deeutsche Werk and the first in an upgraded design.
Upgrades include improved air-independent propulsion, and more modern sensors, combat systems and weapons.
"In recent months, the vessel's crew has been training in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea under challenging situations and conditions," the Israeli Defense Force said. "According to Israel Navy Commander Maj. Gen. Ram Rothberg, the submarine will allow Israeli naval forces to 'travel further and deeper for longer periods of time' and to achieve a 'level of strength we have not seen until today.'"
Dolphin-class II upgraded submarines are 225 feet long and have a speed of more than 25 knots.
The IDF said it expects the last submarine ordered to be delivered by 2016.
