Israel Receives INS Drakon: New Submarine Expands Navy’s Strategic Reach
The third and final Dolphin 2-class submarine has been delivered by Germany’s TKMS shipyard, featuring a larger hull and command structure that experts believe may support additional capabilities — including advanced missile systems
Germany’s TKMS shipyard has handed over the INS Drakon (“Dragon”) to the Israeli Navy, marking the arrival of the third and final submarine in Israel’s Dolphin 2-class fleet.
The delivery ceremony took place quietly at TKMS’s shipyard in Kiel, with little public attention surrounding the event. The following day, the submarine sailed under the Israeli flag for the first time in Kiel Bay, where its onboard systems were tested across different speeds and operating conditions.
At 73 meters in length, the INS Drakon is significantly larger than its two sister submarines, the INS Tanin and INS Rahav, which measure 68.6 meters. The most visible changes are an enlarged command tower and an extended hull, creating additional internal space within the submarine.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense and TKMS have not disclosed the purpose of the modifications, referring only to the submarine’s advanced technologies and unique capabilities. However, defense analysts and specialized publications have suggested that the additional space could be intended to accommodate a vertical launch system for missiles — a capability that would significantly expand the submarine’s operational options.
The INS Drakon is equipped with ten torpedo tubes in the bow: six with a diameter of 533 millimeters and four larger 650-millimeter tubes. The wider tubes can support the deployment of specialized equipment, unmanned underwater vehicles, and systems used by naval special forces.
Analysts believe the submarine’s expanded design could allow it to operate a wider range of capabilities, including underwater drones, special operations systems, and potentially additional missile capabilities.
During the submarine’s naming ceremony in November 2024, the Israeli Navy commander described the vessel as a major reinforcement of Israel’s strategic capabilities, extending the IDF’s reach into distant and concealed operational areas.
The INS Drakon also represents a technological stepping stone toward Israel’s future submarine fleet. The next-generation Dakar-class submarines are already under construction, with deliveries expected at the beginning of the next decade. The new class is intended to replace the older Dolphin-based platforms and introduce further advances in underwater warfare capabilities.
IS THERE HIDDEN TECHNOLOGY? ISRAEL QUIETLY TAKES DELIVERY OF NEW INS DRAGON SUBMARINE FROM GERMANY
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