Israel prepares to receive the heavily armed Drakon submarine — Jerusalem Post
On Thursday, Israel will officially receive the German-built INS Drakon submarine, which has more powerful armament and can remain underwater longer than previous Israeli submarines. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post, citing the Israel Defense Forces.
Drakon will become the sixth submarine in the Israeli Navy and the third vessel of the Dolphin class, including the Dolphin II variant. It is equipped with an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system that makes it possible to generate energy and recharge batteries underwater without needing to surface or use outside air.
Longer covert operations
Part of the submarine's energy system uses hydrogen and oxygen. This allows the vessel to carry out covert underwater operations for longer and maintain operational capability over an extended period. Previous Israeli submarines could remain underwater from several days to several weeks, while Drakon, according to the military, is capable of doing so significantly longer.
Drakon is more than 70 meters long, which is approximately 30% larger than the original Dolphin-class vessels. The part visible above water accounts for less than one-fifth of its total size.
Armament and unknown systems
It is known that 10 torpedo tubes are installed in the submarine's bow: six of the standard 533 mm caliber and four larger ones of 650 mm caliber. The latter can be used for heavier weapons, specialized equipment and underwater vehicles.
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Israel and the German company TKMS have not disclosed the purpose of Drakon's expanded design or the list of installed systems. Experts suggest that the vessel may have vertical launch systems that could potentially accommodate additional armament, cruise missiles, unmanned underwater systems, or equipment for intelligence and special operations. The submarine's exact internal configuration has not been made public.
According to foreign media reports, Israeli submarines may be carriers of nuclear weapons. Israel has not publicly acknowledged possessing such weapons.
Journey from Germany
Drakon set out from Germany for Israel, covering about 4,000 nautical miles, or approximately 8,000 kilometers. The journey lasted slightly more than three weeks and passed through part of the Atlantic Ocean near Western Europe, the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea.
The submarine's development lasted more than 12 years, while the Israeli project directorate in Germany oversaw the project for about two decades, from design to testing. The next generation of Israeli Dakar-class submarines is already under construction, with deliveries expected to begin in 2031.
