Israeli Navy to Receive German Submarines

Israel's navy will receive two new sophisticated German-made submarines, IRNA reports. The submarines were built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The German government refused Israel's request to cover the $1.1 billion price tag for the construction of the submarines, but did agree to provide one-third of the construction costs from its household budget, estimated at around $387 million. German arms exports to Israel reached approximately $900 million between 1998 and 2001. Source: IRNA