INS Drakon Submarine Arrives in Haifa, Joining Israel's Naval Flotilla
The INS Drakon submarine has arrived at Haifa naval base, joining Israel's fleet as the sixth and largest vessel built in Germany, boosting long-range capabilities.
After an 8,000-kilometer journey and 25 days submerged, the INS Drakon submarine arrived at the Haifa naval base, officially joining the Israeli Navy's submarine flotilla. It is the sixth submarine in the naval arm and the largest built in Germany for Israel. We met the crew at sea just hours before their homecoming.
The Drakon arrives as the Israeli Navy significantly expands its operations far from the country's shores, including facing Iran. Ultimately, the Navy must know how to operate anywhere it is deployed, over extended periods, explained Brig. Gen. Guy Levi, Head of the Navy's Staff. It must know how to linger there, build a picture, gather intelligence, and strike.
Extended Submerged Operations
One of the defining characteristics of the Drakon is its prolonged underwater endurance. The submarine is capable of remaining submerged for extended periods, a capability stemming from its specially developed engines and technological systems.
INS Drakon is the third Dolphin AIP-class submarine. Its propulsion system does not rely on external air, allowing it to generate energy and recharge batteries during prolonged underwater stays without surfacing. According to the IDF, the system utilizes oxygen and hydrogen to generate power.
Living in Close Quarters
However, long subsea endurance is not merely a technological challenge. More than 50 crew members live together for weeks in tight quarters without direct contact with home.
I think you have to be an easygoing person, said Master Sgt. M. from the submarine crew. You have to let things go, absorb the pressure, smooth things over, and say 'well, that happened' and move on. Look each other in the eye, because otherwise, it is impossible to survive weeks together underwater.
According to the submarine's commander, alongside operational professionalism, a delicate balance is required between assertiveness and the ability to live together over time.
Regional Power Balance
The submarine enters service amid shifts in the maritime balance of power in the region. Col. Y., commander of Flotilla 7, noted that while significant friction with other fleets has not yet been recorded, the Navy is monitoring the naval build-up surrounding Israel.
We constantly need to maintain readiness, Col. Y. said. I think mainly to preserve some form of superiority or parity, both technological and human, against these fleets, because today they outsize the Navy by orders of magnitude. The gap is particularly stark in submarines. We have six submarines, while the Turks are currently at 14 and on their way to 18.
The expansion of the Turkish Navy is driven by the Blue Homeland doctrine, which views control and influence in the maritime domain as a core component of Turkish power. Amid these developments, INS Drakon represents a vital component in preserving Israel's maritime superiority and expanding its operational reach.
