Israel has quietly received one of its most advanced submarines ever built. Germany has officially transferred the INS Drakon, the newest and final Dolphin-II class submarine, significantly strengthening Israel’s underwater capabilities.
The handover took place without a public ceremony at TKMS’s shipyard in Kiel, after which the submarine sailed under the Israeli flag for the first time.
The future Drakon is the sixth boat in the Dolphin-class, which was developed with Israeli assistance. All boats in the class were built entirely in Germany exclusively for the Israeli Navy.
Upon completion, the submarine will have a length of 68.6 metres, a beam of 6.8 metres, a draught of 6.2 metres, a maximum speed of 25 knots, and a crew complement of 35. Armament will include torpedoes and mines, though the fitted torpedo tubes may also be used for the deployment of swimmer delivery vehicles.
The future Drakon was originally named Dakar in honour of an earlier Israeli Navy submarine that was lost at sea along with its entire crew in early 1968 barely two months after it was commissioned into service.
The families of the crew of the first Dakar had protested against the name being used for the newer Dolphin-class submarine, stating that the “recycling” of the name would only disrespect the memory of the lost sailors. Navy officials agreed to respect the families’ wishes and the name Drakon was consequently chosen as a compromise, partly because the words “Drakon” and “Dakar” are written in Hebrew using the same letters.
The launch of the future Drakon occurred on the same day that TKMS began construction of the Israeli Navy’s first Dakar-class submarine. This new class of submarines will also be diesel-electric powered but will be fitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems and will also be capable of launching anti-ship missiles and ballistic missiles.
The INS Drakon differs substantially from previous Dolphin-II submarines. Its length has increased from 68.6 to 73 meters, while the redesigned hull and noticeably enlarged sail have fueled speculation that the vessel incorporates entirely new operational capabilities.
Defense analysts believe the expanded sail could house vertical launch systems (VLS), although neither Israel nor TKMS has confirmed their existence. If installed, such launchers could potentially accommodate ballistic or cruise missiles, unmanned systems, intelligence payloads, or equipment for special operations forces.
The submarine is confirmed to carry 10 torpedo tubes in its bow, including six 533 mm tubes and four larger 650 mm tubes, which could support heavier weapons or specialized mission equipment.
The arrival of the INS Drakon further enhances Israel’s strategic naval deterrent and reflects the continuing evolution of one of the most advanced submarine fleets in the Middle East.
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