Recently we discussed how things are heating up in the pressure cooker that is Israel – Iran relations. Israel has sailed their Dolphin submarines back and forth through the Suez Canal either in prep for an attach on Iran .. or what was the other reason .. oh yeah show of “we can do it and you can’t.” The Israeli navy rarely discusses its submarine operations, but given the need to refuel and maintain them, there has been speculation for some time that Israeli is seeking a base in the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean for its submarines. Other countries in the region are observing this developing shift in force projection and are taking steps to get in the water themselves. Here’s an update on the developing naval front in the Middle East.
Iran, Algeria and Egypt are all planning to acquire new submarines that could operate in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and the 
Mediterranean. Russian defense industry sources report that Iran, fearful of an Israeli attack, is thinking of buying advanced Russian submarines to add to its flotilla of three Kilo-class diesel-electric boats it acquired a decade ago from Moscow.
The current focus is on Project 636- and Amur 1650-class submarines being developed by Russia. State-owned arms export agency Rosoboronexport said the fourth-generation diesel-electric boats, considered to be among the stealthiest in the world, could be exported by 2015. Iran and Algeria appeared to be among the leading prospects. According to sources in Moscow, Algeria agreed in 2006 to buy Project 636 submarines, advanced versions of the Kilo-class Type 877EKM currently in service with Algeria and Iran. Jane’s Navy International reported July 8 that Algeria will take delivery of the first of two Project 636 subs in December from Admiralty Shipyards of St. Petersburg.
A spokesman for Russia’s Rubin Design Bureau said during the recent International Maritime Defense Show in St. Petersburg that Egypt was also considered a possible customer for the new Kilos. Egypt’s navy has a larger fleet than Israel, including a number of large frigates and four Soviet-made Romeo-class submarines. Likud MK Yuval Steinitz, a former chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said that if the deal went through, the balance of power in the Middle East would be affected. With the new submarines, Egypt would be able to covertly collect intelligence against Israel, he said.
“The Egyptian fleet is already three times bigger than the Israeli fleet except for one platform – submarines – which we both have approximately the same number of, although ours are clearly more advanced and efficient,” he said. “If such a deal takes place, this will have a real impact on the sea power in the Mediterranean.” To see Egyptian subs at dock click here.
Turkey, a major military power at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, signed a deal for the purchase of six European submarines on June 2.Under the $3.5 billion contract, the Turkish navy will co-manufacture U-214-class submarines with a consortium headed by Howaldswerke-Deutsche Werft of Kiel, Germany, which builds the Dolphin boats used by Israel. Turkey currently operates 6 SSK Atilay class (Type 209-1200*) diesel-electric attack submarines built between 1975-1989, and will also operate a total of 8 related Preveze class (Type 209-1400*) boats when current commitments are fully built out. The second group of 4 U209-1400s was a DM 996 million contract signed in 1998 for a slightly modified design, and is sometimes referred to as the Gur class.
