Israel's New 'Dragon' Submarine Arrives in Territorial Waters

The submarine "Dragon," the sixth vessel acquired by Israel from German manufacturer TKMS, entered Israeli territorial waters on September 23rd. This marks the largest submarine built in Germany since World War II, with an estimated cost of approximately 550 million euros. The "Dragon" is intended for the Israeli Navy's 7th flotilla.

Testing of the submarine faced international hurdles. Norway and Denmark denied permission to use their waters for trials due to restrictions on military cooperation with Israel, even though the submarine sailed under a German flag. Consequently, tests were conducted in international waters in the North Sea. Furthermore, France and Canada refused export permits for certain components destined for the Israeli submarine, leading to some parts being manufactured and installed in Israel at the German shipyard.

The "Dragon" measures over 70 meters in length, with a submerged displacement of around 2300 tons, making it the largest and most powerful submarine in the Middle East. While formally completing the "Dolphin-2" class, its significant modernization, including an enlarged conning tower housing a vertical missile launch system, positions it as a technological bridge to the next generation of submarines, the "Dakar" class.

Equipped with 533mm and 650mm torpedo tubes, the "Dragon" also features an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, similar to its predecessors "Tanin" and "Rahav." This system, utilizing fuel cells, batteries, and diesel generators, allows for extended underwater endurance, enabling submarines to remain submerged for up to 18 days and reach speeds of approximately 46.3 km/h.

Following the integration of Israeli systems, the "Dragon" is expected to officially join the Israeli Navy's operational fleet within the coming months.