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

The sixth submarine for the Israeli Navy, INS Drakon, has officially departed from the TKMS shipyard in Kiel, Germany, beginning its voyage to Israel. The departure ceremony marked the culmination of years of planning, development, and joint engineering work. The INS Drakon is the third and final submarine in the Dolphin AIP class, incorporating advanced technologies that enhance the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) operational flexibility, prolonged sea endurance, and extended range.

Senior defense and diplomatic officials from Berlin and Israeli procurement officials attended the ceremony, highlighting the completion of the complex design and construction phase. The submarine's launch and departure were secured by a comprehensive operation involving Israel's Ministry of Defense security wing and German security forces. Upon its arrival at Haifa port, a state ceremony is scheduled to welcome the INS Drakon at the Navy base.

Speakers at the event emphasized the submarine's significance for the naval combat array and the strategic partnership between Israel and Germany. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Eyal Harel stated that the INS Drakon will bring advanced capabilities, a wider operational range, and significant operational power, with its crew operating covertly and silently far from home. Zeev Landau, Deputy Director General and Head of the DDR&D at the Ministry of Defense, described it as the most complex and advanced weapon system in the IDF, noting the ongoing work on the next series of submarines ('Dakar') in cooperation with Germany. Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor called the submarine's delivery a testament to the deep strategic partnership between Jerusalem and Berlin.