Germany hands rocket ships to Israel at times of tensions with Iran

The purchase of four rocket ships and three submarines by German industrial giant Thyssencrip has long been at the centre of corruption investigations, which are suspected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's closest associates.

However, Admiral Eyal Harel said that despite allegations of corruption, these ships and submarines are part of a major improvement in maritime affairs in the Jewish state and that the new fleet will increase the navy's ability to protect profitable natural gas deposits in the Mediterranean from rivals like Hezbollah Shiite.

The Israeli officer believes Israeli findings are the top “on Hezbollah's list of targets for future war”.

Saar 6 ships are equipped with the most advanced marine radar in the world. The first such ship sailed today to the port of Haifa.

Israel is constantly worried about Iran's nuclear programme and now tension in relations between the two countries is back at its peak, as Iran accused the Jewish state of killing its leading nuclear scientist Mohsen Fahrizadeh last week near Tehran.

Israeli officials have not commented on the charges, but are also concerned that new US President Joseph Biden will renew the nuclear agreement between Tehran and major powers by 2015. US President Donald Trump withdrew from that agreement, which Israel praised.

Asked whether the new ship would allow Israel to attack Iran directly from the Mediterranean, Harel said it would help combat the Iranian threat because Iran is Hezbollah's main sponsor.