Israel Welcomes Sixth Submarine, Dolphin-Class INS Drakon, in Haifa

Israel formally welcomed its sixth submarine, the INS Drakon, to the naval base in Haifa on Thursday evening. The ceremony was attended by President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Defense Minister Katz addressed Iran directly, stating the submarine's arrival sends a message to those who threaten Israel. He emphasized that Israel's strategic capabilities extend to the depths, not just the skies, and that distance offers no immunity to adversaries. Katz also claimed Israel has thwarted Iran's nuclear program, damaged its strategic capabilities, and eliminated Ayatollah Khamenei, whom he accused of leading a plan to destroy Israel. He vowed that Israel would not allow its existence to be threatened in the future.

IDF Chief of Staff Zamir echoed the sentiment, noting that Iran, though damaged, has not changed its intentions. He described the INS Drakon's induction as a key IDF buildup measure, enhancing the navy's operational capabilities to be more covert, reach further, operate deeper, and be more lethal. Zamir also highlighted unprecedented IDF achievements, including thwarting senior figures aiming to destroy Israel and strengthening deterrence.

President Herzog spoke about the submarine's operational capacity and the historic security cooperation with Germany, where the submarine was built. He stated that the INS Drakon and future submarines represent a bright future for the navy, signifying innovation and expanded operational reach. Herzog noted that Israeli naval personnel and others worked on this project in Kiel, Germany, 81 years after the Holocaust, building a crown jewel of global defense engineering together. He also mentioned Israel exports advanced security systems to Germany, contributing to Europe's defense.

Herzog concluded by addressing the submariners, emphasizing that the human operator is key to victory, regardless of the sophistication of the technology.