Israel's Sixth Submarine, INS Drakon, Departs Germany for Home

The INS Drakon, Israel's sixth submarine and the third and final Dolphin-class AIP submarine acquired by the Ministry of Defense, has departed Germany for Israel. The vessel is expected to arrive in the coming weeks. The departure ceremony took place this week at the TKMS shipyard in Kiel, Germany.

The INS Drakon incorporates advanced technologies that position Israel at the forefront of global military technology, enhancing the operational flexibility of the Israeli Navy for years to come. Its departure from Germany was secured by a large-scale security operation led by the Ministry of Defense's security department in cooperation with German security forces.

A state ceremony will be held at the Haifa naval base upon the submarine's arrival in Israel. The German departure ceremony was attended by senior officials from both nations, including Israeli Navy Commander Vice Admiral Eyal Harel, Head of the Equipment Branch Rear Admiral Amir Chemni, Director General of the Defense Procurement Administration Ze'ev Landau, Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor, and German Navy Commander Jean Christian, along with representatives from the shipyard.

Vice Admiral Eyal Harel stated that the INS Drakon, along with the upcoming Dakar-class submarines, will be central to the future of the submarine flotilla, the Navy, and the IDF, bringing advanced capabilities, extended operational range, and significant operational power. He emphasized the crucial role of the trained crews operating in secrecy and bearing responsibility for critical decisions, embodying the spirit of the Israeli submarine flotilla.

Ze'ev Landau highlighted the evolving strategic partnership between Israel and Germany, based on shared values and complementary technological capabilities. He indicated that discussions are underway for future joint projects focused on shared resilience and new areas of joint development and production.

TKMS CEO Oliver Bückhard noted the successful completion of this complex program, characterized by trust and shared responsibility, and affirmed Israel's importance as a maritime partner. He stated that the Dakar-class submarines continue this collaboration, demonstrating TKMS's ability to reliably realize complex naval programs.