How did Israel get its nuclear weapons?

How many nuclear weapons does Israel have? I'm afraid no one has been able to tell clearly over the years. However, recently, Hans Blix, the former head of the United Nations weapons inspection team, submitted a report on global weapons of mass destruction to United Nations Secretary-General Annan, stating that Israel may currently possess 200 nuclear weapons. Analysts pointed out that Blix's suggestion of the number of nuclear weapons possessed by Israel at this time will undoubtedly add fuel to the fire of the tense Iranian nuclear issue.

Israel responded low-key to the nuclear assessment

After Blix resigned as head of the United Nations weapons inspection team in December 2003, he went to Sweden for scientific research Agency—Weapons of Mass Destruction Committee as Chairman. A few days ago, the committee wrote a research report entitled "Weapons of Terror" that assessed the current status of weapons of mass destruction in the world and the potential threats faced by the international community.

In terms of global nuclear weapons, the report believes that there are currently more than 27,000 nuclear weapons in the world, and about 12,000 have been activated and deployed. Most of these nuclear weapons are owned by the United States and Russia. Blix specifically pointed out at a press conference on the report that Israel possesses 200 nuclear weapons. In response to this statement, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs only responded in accordance with its usual practice, stating that Israel's long-standing policy has not changed, that is, Israel will not become the first country in the Middle East to introduce nuclear weapons.

The "Trinity" nuclear force has been built

So, how did Israel's nuclear force develop? In 1962, the Israeli nuclear reactor entered a critical state, began a chain reaction, and produced a large amount of uranium used to make nuclear warheads. By the end of 1968, Israel could produce four to five nuclear warheads per year, and it was on the road to full-scale production of nuclear weapons. In the 1973 Middle East War, Israel was threatened by Egypt and Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Meir ordered the installation of nuclear warheads on Israeli short-range missiles. However, due to the pressure exerted by the international community and the Israeli army's subsequent victory, Israel's nuclear missiles were not used. After the war, Israel's nuclear strike plan "Samson Plan" was exposed by the media.

After decades of research and production accumulation, Israel currently has a "trinity" nuclear strike capability, and its nuclear capabilities should not be underestimated.

In terms of space-based nuclear power, Israel already has a variety of aircraft models capable of carrying nuclear aerial bombs, including F-4 "Phantom" fighter jets, A-4 "Sky Eagle" attack aircraft, -15 "Eagle" fighter jets, F-16 "Fighting Falcon" fighter jets, etc. Operational squadrons and bases that may be responsible for nuclear operations include: the 111th, 115th and 116th Squadrons deployed at Nevatim Air Base, the 140th and 253rd Squadrons at Ramon Base in the Negev Desert, Ramat in northern Israel —The 109th, 110th and 117th Squadrons at David Base, and the 101st, 105th and 144th Squadrons at Hazerim Air Base.

In terms of land-based nuclear forces, the "Jariko" series of missiles owned by Israel are its main strategic strike force. The "Jariko-1" missile has a range of 480 kilometers to 650 kilometers and can reach Damascus, Oman and Cairo. The "Jariko-2" missile has a range of 1,800 kilometers. The British "Jane's Defense Weekly" once revealed that there is a missile base in the mountains southeast of Tel Aviv, and 50 "Jariko-2" missiles are deployed at the base. In addition, about 50 "Jariko-1" missiles are also deployed near the base.

At present, sea-based nuclear power is Israel’s development focus. In the mid-1990s, Israel ordered three "Dolphin"-class diesel-powered submarines with long-range attack capabilities from Germany. Israel has nuclearized these three submarines. It is reported that Israel's nuclear warheads were refitted to adapt to the "Harpoon" missiles provided by the United States, and a guidance system that can cruise along the surface was installed on its missiles. Israel has 150 miles of coastline in the Mediterranean, and it uses its three submarines in this way: two are always on duty at sea, one will operate in the Red Sea or the Persian Gulf, another in the Mediterranean; the third is in its home port On call. In this way, at least one submarine can remain alert in the water, ensuring that Israel can take retaliatory measures if it is attacked.

In addition, there are reports that Israel has also developed some non-strategic nuclear weapons, such as nuclear artillery shells and nuclear landmines. An unknown number of these nuclear weapons may be stored at the Elaben nuclear facility west of the Sea of ??Galilee.

The United States adopts a conniving attitude toward Israel

Although Israel's possession of nuclear weapons has become an open secret, the Israeli government implements a strict "nuclear ambiguity" policy, neither admitting nor It denies possessing nuclear weapons and does not accept verification by the international community. The United States has also turned a blind eye to Israel's possession of nuclear weapons. To avoid U.S. objections to the government's actions, U.S. intelligence agencies typically remove Israel from the list of countries confirmed to be developing weapons of mass destruction in reports to Congress. The Clinton administration even banned the sale to third countries of high-definition photos of Israel captured by U.S. spy satellites. The United States' connivance with Israel means that Israel does not have to bear the political and economic consequences of recognizing nuclear capabilities, but it can gain benefits from it - the power of deterrence.

Some analysts believe that Blix disclosed information about Israel's nuclear weapons at this time in order to send a warning to the international community, considering that Israel had the precedent of bombing Iraqi nuclear facilities on its own in the 1980s. , that is, the nuclear weapons possessed by Israel may also become an important option for attacking Iran's nuclear facilities. (Source: Global Times)