New Dolphin-Class Submarine Joins Israeli Navy After 25-Day Underwater Voyage

The Israeli Navy's newest submarine, INS Drakon, has officially joined the submarine flotilla in Haifa after an 8,000-kilometer journey from Germany, spending 25 days submerged. This is the sixth submarine for the Israeli Navy and the largest of the Dolphin-class vessels built in Germany. The INS Drakon is equipped with an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, allowing it to remain underwater for extended periods without surfacing to recharge batteries, utilizing hydrogen and oxygen for energy.

The submarine's arrival comes as the Israeli Navy expands its operations far from its shores, including activities near Iran. Rear Admiral Guy Levy, head of the Navy's planning division, stated that the submarine is designed to carry more weaponry for longer durations and greater distances, enhancing the navy's ability to operate anywhere it is deployed, gather intelligence, and conduct attacks.

Operating the INS Drakon presents significant challenges for its crew of over 50 personnel, who live in close quarters for weeks at a time with limited contact with the outside world. Crew members emphasized the importance of interpersonal skills, patience, and mutual understanding for survival and effective operation. The submarine commander noted the need for a balance between assertiveness and the ability to coexist peacefully within the confined space.

The integration of the INS Drakon also occurs against a backdrop of shifting naval power dynamics in the region. The commander of Flotilla 7 highlighted concerns about the growing naval strength of regional powers, particularly Turkey, which operates 14 submarines with plans to expand to 18, compared to Israel's six. He stressed the need for the Israeli Navy to maintain technological and human superiority amidst these developments.

The article also touches upon Turkey's 'Blue Homeland' doctrine, which emphasizes maritime control and influence, contributing to its naval expansion in the Mediterranean. Encounters between submarines from different navies can occur at close range in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region of significant interest to multiple nations.