European Boycott Delayed Israeli Submarine, Navy Warns of Insufficient Size

Israel's international standing has directly impacted its most sensitive, expensive, and strategic asset: its submarine fleet. A senior naval officer revealed on Wednesday that the arrival of the sixth submarine, INS "Dragon," which is expected to dock in Israel on Thursday, was delayed for months due to a boycott by European nations. The Israeli Navy disclosed that the prolonged delay stemmed from a shortage of spare parts, exacerbated by European refusal to assist. Furthermore, Denmark and Norway denied the Israeli submarine, built by Germany's ThyssenKrupp, passage through their territorial waters, despite it sailing unarmed and under a German flag. This refusal was reportedly linked to the war in Gaza. The Navy is now closely monitoring internal German politics and potential radicalization that could jeopardize future projects. Concurrently, senior naval officials are criticizing the current force size, arguing that the navy is too small to meet security needs, especially given crises in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab strait, and the Turkish Navy's growing submarine and missile boat capabilities. Turkey, possessing NATO's second-largest fleet, aims to advance its "Blue Homeland" doctrine in the Mediterranean, establish a maritime-economic axis with Libya, and expand its economic waters. In a position paper submitted to political and military leadership, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Eyal Harel stated that freedom of navigation is a clear national interest. The paper highlights that the Houthi takeover of the Bab al-Mandab strait is not just an international issue but a severe Israeli problem due to its significant impact on the port of Eilat. The Navy fears that the Houthis' success could embolden Hezbollah, Hamas, or even Turkey to attempt a naval blockade against Israel via the Mediterranean. The paper designates the maritime domain as a "rising star" requiring new coalitions and partnerships, explicitly stating, "The Navy is too small for Israel's challenges; the naval arm must be expanded." It also warns that prior to the "Operation Lion's Roar" strikes on Iran's fleet, Iran could deploy ships to the Red Sea, necessitating continuous Israeli presence there. Rear Admiral Harel's objective is for Israel to become an international port power by 2035 and to develop a new maritime strategy, emphasizing, "The war that began on October 7th proved the importance of freedom of navigation in Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab; the Red Sea is a space where we must be present."