Israel’s undersea fleet on its way to a new era – analysis

Israel's newest and most technologically advanced submarine, the INS Drakon, is en route from Germany to Haifa Port, marking a significant expansion of the navy's operational capabilities. This sixth submarine, built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), is a "further development" of the Dolphin II class, featuring a visibly longer hull and an enlarged sail, potentially indicating space for new mission systems like vertical launchers (VLS) or advanced sensors. The Drakon is designed to enhance Israel's long-range covert capabilities for intelligence gathering and special operations. Concurrently, TKMS is already constructing the next generation of three Dakar-class submarines, which will further advance Israel's undersea posture with greater endurance and mission flexibility, as stated by TKMS CEO Oliver Burkhard: "With the DAKAR class, we are continuing our collaboration and demonstrating that TKMS not only develops complex naval programs but also reliably brings them to fruition."