IDF submarine
Photo: IDF Spokesperson
Netanyahu releases timetable on ships' purchase in Case 3000
The prime minister's bureau released a statement and a timetable from 2013 to 2014, which it claims is backed up by the documentation; it says the purchase was made in accordance with Defense Ministry recommendations.
The prime minister's bureau published on Sunday night a response to what the police have termed Case 3000—the Submarine Affair—in which the timetable for the purchase of the seacraft is detailed.
A statement released along with the timeline read, "Contrary to claims that have been made, the purchase of four surface ships was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Navy and the Ministry of Defense itself. The Prime Minster and the Security Cabinet acted in accordance with the recommendations of the professional ranks."
Netanyahu climbs out of the INS Rahav submarine in January 2016. (Photo: Reuters)
According to Netanyahu, "This is the political-security timetable of the purchase of the surface ships, as documented in the National Security Council, which proves that. The timetable is backed up with the documents."
The timetable follows:
4/24/2013: The commander of the Navy recommends moving forward with purchasing the ships from Germany.
9/11/2013: The Ministry of Defense's director general instructs his ministry that if an agreement can be reached with Germany, there will be no need to open a request for tenders.
11/11/2013: The Ministry of Defense's director general emphasizes the benefits of purchasing from Germany for reasons of cash flow, cost and schedule.
November 2013: The Security Cabinet decides to purchase the ships and to prefer an agreement with Germany.
5/6/2014: The Germans withdraw from the discount proposal.
7/21/2014: The Ministry of Defense publishes an international request for tenders for the purchase of the ships. In the background, talks are held with Germany.
8/17/2014: In light of progress in the talks, the director general of the Ministry of Defense asks to freeze the tenders.
8/21/2014: Germany approves a discount at a rate of 27.5% with Minister of Finance Yair Lapid.
8/23/2014: German Chancellor Angela Merkel approves the summary to the prime minister.
9/20/2014: The Israeli Navy asks to stop the bidding and slow down the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU).
9/21/2014: The director general of the Ministry of Defense asks to stop the bidding in light of the developments.
10/27/2014: The minister of defense decides to stop the bidding.
December 2014: Israel and Germany sign an MOU for the purchase of the ships.
