Israel's New 'Dragon' Submarine Joins Navy Fleet After Extensive Sea Trials

Israel's newest submarine, the INS "Dragon," arrived at the Haifa naval base on September 24, 2026, after a 24-day journey from Kiel, Germany, officially joining the Israeli Navy's 7th Submarine Flotilla. A military correspondent for Ynet, Elisha Ben-Kimon, reported on board, detailing the vessel's capabilities, crew life, and operational readiness. The "Dragon" is the sixth submarine in the Israeli fleet, measuring approximately 70 meters in length with a displacement of 3,000 tons and an estimated cost of half a billion euros. It is expected to be fully operational within two months, following the integration of specialized Israeli weapon and intelligence systems.

The submarine's arrival ceremony on September 24 was attended by President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. The "Dragon's" journey to operational status was a lengthy process, spanning nearly 14 years from construction to delivery, according to the submarine's commander, Lieutenant Colonel O., who oversaw the project in Germany. Extensive testing, including deep-sea trials requiring depths of hundreds of meters, was conducted in areas north of Denmark due to the shallow waters off Germany's coast. These trials complicated the crew's schedule, requiring them to travel back and forth from Germany.

Inside, the submarine is a complex environment with numerous systems, cables, and machinery requiring precise coordination among the crew, many of whom are in their early twenties. The 7th Flotilla commander, Colonel Y., highlighted the importance of trust and cohesion among the crew due to the confined space and limited external communication. While basic amenities are tight, the "Dragon" offers improved living conditions compared to other submarines, including two showers and two toilets, and a communal "atmosphere room" for relaxation.

Brigadier General Guy Levy, head of the Navy's Planning Division, emphasized the "Dragon's" enhanced combat capabilities, including extended sea endurance, greater armament capacity, advanced intelligence gathering, and stealth operations at greater distances from Israel. The submarine is designed for independent missions and can also host special forces units. Levy noted the growing importance of the submarine fleet in light of threats to maritime routes, such as Houthi actions in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and Iranian activities in the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the need for long-range, stealthy vessels.

The "Dragon's" integration into the fleet comes amid previous debates about the necessity of a sixth submarine, which was part of a larger procurement controversy. Current discussions focus on replacing older submarines rather than increasing the overall fleet size.