Israel is equipping submarines built in Germany with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, according to Der Spiegel magazine.

The magazine also reported that the German government has known about Israel’s nuclear weapons program for decades, despite its official denials.

Last month, Israel received from Germany its fourth Dolphin-class submarine, which is slated to become operational in 2013. Germany largely has funded Israel’s purchase of the submarines.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied that it has a nuclear weapons program.

The German government recently signed a contract for the delivery of an additional vessel, with one-third of the cost subsidized by Germany. The delivery of the sub has been conditioned on Israel halting building in West Bank settlements and allowing the completion of a sewage treatment plant in Gaza partially financed by Germany. — jta