Israel Receives Largest German-Built Attack Submarine Since WWII Worth $634 Million

Israel has received the INS Drakon, the sixth and final Dolphin II-class submarine built for the Israeli Navy by Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

The submarine was delivered last week, according to reports. Its arrival completes Israel’s Dolphin II submarine programme and adds the country’s most expensive submarine to its fleet.

The INS Drakon was originally expected to arrive in 2025. It cost an estimated €550 million ($634 million) and is more than 230 feet (70 metres) long, with a weight of over 2,000 tons.

It is also the largest submarine of its kind built in Germany since World War II, according to the information provided.

Israel and Germany continue their long-running defence cooperation and prepare for the next stage of Israel’s submarine fleet.

Larger hull gives the submarine more space

The Drakon has a larger hull that provides more room for its crew, fuel and equipment.

The additional space is expected to support longer missions and give the Israeli Navy more flexibility when operating farther from Israeli waters.

The submarine joins five other Dolphin II-class vessels already serving in the Israeli Navy.

Germany to build Israel’s next submarines

Israel signed a deal with TKMS in 2022 covering the INS Drakon and three future Dakar-class submarines.

The overall agreement was worth about €3 billion, with Germany expected to finance around 20% of the cost.

Germany has supplied Israel with submarines for decades, making TKMS an important partner in the development of Israel’s undersea fleet.

The two countries have continued their defence cooperation despite international pressure on countries to reduce military cooperation with Israel.

Dakar-class submarines expected from 2031

Israel is expected to begin receiving its next-generation Dakar-class submarines in 2031.

The first of the three submarines is scheduled to arrive that year, with the other two expected at intervals of about 18 months.

The Dakar-class vessels will eventually replace the Dolphin, Leviathan and Tekuma submarines, which entered service between 1999 and 2000.

Those submarines have been part of Israel’s naval forces for more than two decades. The new Dakar-class vessels are expected to bring updated systems and additional capabilities as the older submarines are gradually retired.

Defence partnership extends beyond submarines

Germany’s defence relationship with Israel also includes the Arrow 3 missile defence system.

Germany bought the Israeli-developed interceptor for about €4 billion. The system is designed to destroy ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere.

Between 2021 and 2025, Germany was Israel’s second-largest defence export customer, according to the information provided.

References: interestingengineering, indiandefencereview