After ODS (US Gulf War I), the Israels desperately needed to replace their aging Vickers SSK subs for more modern ones that could form the last leg of a nuclear triad (already possessing missiles and nuke carrying aircraft). But they had a problem- they could not ask France, UK, or Italy (nevermind the US) to modify the 21" torpedo tubes to fire nuke-tipped cruise missiles through or SVDs for covert Ops in the Med. So they turned to the Germans with a request for 3 subs. Germany wanted to test out several systems for their new Type 212 AIP advanced SSKs so they agreed and even donated 2 of the 3 to Israel for free. Dolphin came first, then Leviathan, and then Tekuma by the mid-2000s. The subs are 2000 tons submerged, compact, with comprehensive electronics suites, advanced sonar, automation which reduces the crew to a mere 30 (27 for the German type), and can be armed with conventional 21" torpedos but also a range of cruise missiles due the mods the Germans made on the torpedo tubes, enlarging them. SVDs for covert divers also can be launched from the tubes. But nuke-tipped CMs are a priority to hit the Arab oil fields or hit Tehran and Syria. The SSKs tested the German systems which were incorporated into the more advanced AIP Type 212s which go further in tech with austenetic anti-magnetic steel, permanent magmet motor, fuel cell tech, larger automation, more advanced STN-Atlas torpedoes (DM3A-5s, or rumored tectrallic DM4s which are multisensor cued) and a water-ram silent launch system. The Germans helped the Israelis test the modified tubes off Sri Lanka and RSA and co-operate in the Med, the German advanced frigates aiming guns towards Syria. Israel is happy and the Dolphins will definately play a part in the upcoming attack on Iran's nuke facilities.