Israel has taken delivery of its most advanced and expensive submarine from Germany, adding a significant new capability to its naval forces as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.
The submarine, INS Drakon, is expected to strengthen Israel’s underwater strike, intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities and provide an additional layer of deterrence against potential attacks.
Built by Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) specifically for the Israeli Navy, the vessel is the sixth Dolphin-class submarine in Israel’s fleet and the third modified Dolphin II-class submarine.
The handover reportedly took place at the company’s shipyard in Kiel, Germany, in late July. The submarine had originally been scheduled for delivery in 2025.
Israel’s Defense Ministry previously described the INS Drakon as a strategic combat asset equipped with advanced systems and technologies designed to expand the Israel Defense Forces’ operational capabilities across multiple theatres.
A key part of Israel’s deterrence strategy
The arrival of the submarine comes as Israel faces heightened security threats, particularly from Iran.
Israeli national security expert Dr. Ehud Eilam said maintaining submarines at sea on continuous alert is crucial to Israel’s ability to respond if its conventional military capabilities were severely damaged in a major attack.
He explained that submarines deployed at sea could potentially continue operating even if vessels stationed at Israeli ports were attacked.
The Dolphin-class fleet is also widely regarded as an important component of Israel’s strategic deterrence and potential second-strike capability.
According to defence assessments, the submarines can conduct intelligence and reconnaissance missions while maintaining the ability to operate over long distances.
Larger and more capable vessel
The INS Drakon reportedly measures more than 70 metres (230 feet) in length and has a displacement of more than 2,000 tonnes.
With an estimated cost of $634 million, it is reportedly the largest submarine constructed in Germany since the end of World War II.
The vessel is designed to provide Israel with greater operational flexibility, including the possibility of conducting missions from farther away from potential targets.
Eilam suggested that the submarine’s increased size could allow Israel to pursue longer-range capabilities, potentially enabling missiles to reach targets in Iran without the submarine having to operate close to the Iranian coastline.
Such a capability could reduce the risks associated with navigating through strategically sensitive waterways.
Built for long-term strategic missions
The Israeli Navy’s submarine programme serves several purposes, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, deterrence and maintaining the ability to respond to major strategic threats.
Eilam said Israel’s acquisition of submarines is partly intended to ensure that the country can respond even in extreme scenarios, including a potential conflict involving Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
While submarines regularly operate in the Mediterranean and other waters for intelligence and military missions, their strategic value is particularly significant in what Israeli defence planners consider worst-case scenarios.
The vessel’s delivery therefore represents more than an addition to Israel’s naval fleet. It gives the country another means of maintaining a military presence at sea and preserving its ability to retaliate even if other elements of its defence infrastructure come under attack.
Why it matters amid tensions with Iran
The INS Drakon joins the Israeli fleet at a time when the regional security environment remains highly volatile.
Israel has increasingly projected military power beyond its immediate borders, while Iran remains one of its most significant strategic adversaries.
The new submarine is expected to strengthen Israel’s ability to monitor developments at sea, conduct covert operations and maintain a credible deterrent against potential attacks.
The submarine was named INS Drakon, meaning “Dragon,” after a mythical sea creature associated with strength and power. Israel’s Defense Ministry said the name also commemorates the legacy of the submarine INS Dakar and its crew.
With its advanced technology, extended operational capabilities and strategic role, the INS Drakon is set to become one of the most important assets in Israel’s naval deterrence strategy.
