Israel takes delivery of $634m ‘Drakon’ submarine from Germany

Israel has taken delivery of the 'Drakon' submarine from Germany, a vessel described by Israeli sources and media as the most advanced and expensive submarine ever supplied to the Israeli Navy, with an estimated value of $634 million. The German firm ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems constructed the vessel at its Kiel shipyard and delivered it in late July, ahead of the originally scheduled 2025 handover. The Drakon is the sixth Dolphin-class submarine and the third modified Dolphin-II in the Israeli fleet. Measuring over 70 metres in length with a displacement of more than 2,000 tonnes, it is reported to be the largest submarine built in Germany since the Second World War. During the 2024 naming ceremony in Kiel, Israel stated that the Drakon is equipped with unique systems and technologies designed to expand the operational capabilities of the Israeli military. Ehud Eilam, an Israeli national security expert and former researcher at the Ministry of Defence, told Fox News Digital that maintaining a permanent submarine presence at sea is essential for Israel's national survival. He explained that in the event of a surprise attack by Iran that causes significant damage to Israel's military and strategic assets, submarines must remain on 24-hour standby at sea to provide a retaliatory response. Eilam noted that because other submarines docked in Haifa could be damaged or disabled during an attack, the continuous presence of at least part of the fleet is vital. He added that while Israeli submarines conduct intelligence and reconnaissance missions in the Mediterranean, their primary purpose is to maintain readiness for extreme 'doomsday' scenarios. The expert suggested that Israel acquired these submarines for various purposes, including deterrence and the capacity for retaliation should Iran obtain nuclear weapons. He further noted that the Drakon's larger size may indicate an effort to increase operational options, such as extending missile range to strike targets in Iran without the submarine needing to approach the coast too closely, potentially negating the need to transit the Suez Canal or navigate around Africa. Oliver Burkhard, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, told Ynet that the new submarine programme is proceeding on schedule. The Israeli Ministry of Defence stated that the name 'Drakon'—meaning dragon—was chosen to represent a mythical sea creature symbolising power, while the Hebrew letters also serve as a tribute to the submarine 'Dakar' and its lost crew. According to Ynet, the Dolphin-class fleet is considered a key component of Israel's maritime second-strike capability. The delivery of the Drakon comes as Israel continues to demonstrate an increased military presence in operational theatres far from its own borders.