KIEL, Germany — Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has completed the delivery process for INS Drakon, Israel’s sixth submarine, with the vessel leaving the company’s shipyard in Kiel on September 1 and beginning its voyage to Israel.
The departure marks the completion of the Dolphin AIP submarine program, with Drakon being the third and final submarine in the series equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP). The Israeli Ministry of Defense and Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the submarine is now sailing toward Israel.
A farewell and departure ceremony was held at the TKMS facility in Kiel. The event was attended by senior Israeli and German officials, including Israeli Navy Commander Vice Adm. Eyal Harel, representatives of Israel’s Defense Ministry and Navy, Israel’s ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor, and German naval representatives. The Israeli flag was raised aboard Drakon as the submarine formally began its journey to Israel.
The voyage was accompanied by a security operation involving Israeli and German security forces. After reaching Israel, Drakon is expected to undergo its induction process, with a formal ceremony planned at the Haifa Naval Base.
Final Dolphin AIP submarine
INS Drakon is the third and final Dolphin AIP submarine acquired by Israel. The two earlier vessels in this group are INS Tanin and INS Rahav. The AIP system allows a submarine to remain underwater for longer periods without depending on atmospheric air for propulsion.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense and IDF said Drakon incorporates advanced technologies intended to increase the Navy's operational flexibility, range and endurance. Israeli Navy Commander Vice Adm. Eyal Harel said Drakon, together with the three future Dakar-class submarines, will form an important part of the future Submarine Flotilla and the Israeli Navy.
TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard described the Dolphin AIP program as a complex and challenging naval program and said the company would continue its cooperation with Israel through the Dakar-class submarine program.
Enlarged sail and classified systems
Drakon is understood from publicly available imagery and reporting to be approximately 73 meters long, making it longer than the earlier Dolphin II submarines Tanin and Rahav. Its submerged displacement has been estimated at approximately 2,400 tons.
One of the most visible differences is its substantially enlarged sail. However, Israel and TKMS have not publicly confirmed the specific systems housed within this additional space.
Some open-source analysis has suggested that the enlarged sail could provide space for additional mission systems, including possible vertical launch arrangements, unmanned underwater vehicles, sensors or equipment associated with special operations. These remain unconfirmed and should not be treated as the submarine's officially disclosed configuration.
The submarine is equipped with 10 bow torpedo tubes, comprising six 533 mm tubes and four larger 650 mm tubes. Exact details of its weapons and other classified systems have not been publicly disclosed.
Earlier Israeli Dolphin-class submarines have been reported to possess the ability to launch submarine-launched cruise missiles through enlarged torpedo tubes, but the specific missile configuration of INS Drakon has not been officially confirmed.
Transition to the Dakar class
The delivery of Drakon also marks the transition toward Israel's next generation of submarines.
Israel is developing the Dakar class, with three submarines planned. Construction of the first Dakar-class submarine has already begun, and Israel has described the class as an important part of the future Submarine Flotilla.
The long-standing German-Israeli naval partnership has produced several generations of Israeli submarines. TKMS and Israel are continuing this cooperation through the Dakar program.
With Drakon now sailing from Germany to Israel, the Dolphin AIP program has reached its final stage, while preparations continue for the next generation of Israeli submarines.
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