New Israeli Submarine 'Dragon' Arrives After Embargo Delays

The Israeli Navy's newest submarine, INS 'Dragon', has arrived in Israeli waters after a 25-day voyage from a shipyard in Germany. The submarine's arrival was delayed by several months due to arms embargoes imposed by Norway and Denmark, both NATO members, which prevented it from docking in their ports during its trial voyages, despite sailing under a German flag. These countries reportedly refused to support advanced weaponry reaching Israel.

Additional countries, including Canada and France, also denied Germany export permits for components destined for the submarine, citing its sale to Israel. Ultimately, components manufactured in Israel were integrated into the submarine in Germany before its departure. The INS 'Dragon' traveled approximately 3,792 nautical miles, completing 772 miles above water under German military escort, followed by a 3,020-mile submerged operational voyage.

The submarine's journey from the Strait of Gibraltar to Haifa was conducted covertly underwater, to prevent intelligence gathering by interested nations on the advanced vessel. The INS 'Dragon' is over 70 meters long, about 30% larger than older Dolphin-class submarines, with less than a fifth of its bulk visible above water. It features advanced technological capabilities, including an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system based on a hydrogen engine, allowing for extended submerged operations without needing to surface.

The construction of the INS 'Dragon' took over 12 years, followed by months of trials and preparations. This latest addition brings Israel's submarine fleet to six vessels. The fleet includes three older diesel-powered Dolphin-class submarines and three AIP-equipped Dolphin-class submarines. Israel is expecting three new 'Dakar'-class submarines starting in 2031, which will replace the older vessels, maintaining a fleet of six submarines.

The Israeli Navy has been operating in new theaters, including off Yemen and Iran, both openly and covertly, since October 7th. At least two Israeli submarines are reportedly on operational missions at sea at any given time. While the Navy asserts its capability to operate far from Israeli shores, it acknowledges limitations in conducting a full-scale naval campaign alone. The Navy is also focused on ensuring freedom of navigation in the Bab al-Mandab strait, a critical maritime chokepoint, due to its direct link to the Gulf of Eilat via the Suez Canal and the potential threat posed by Houthi rebels.