The mystery surrounding the new submarine that will change the face of future campaigns
In a few days, the INS Dragon, the sixth and most advanced submarine of the Israeli Navy, whose construction took about 15 years, will dock in Israel. Foreign experts estimate that the unusual structure of its conning tower hides a vertical launch system for ballistic missiles. The "Iron Swords" war proved the critical need for a "long arm" capable of operating covertly and projecting power far from the country's borders.
In a few days, the "Dragon" submarine will arrive in Israel and join the five other submarines operated by the Navy.
Three are of the "Dolphin" model—diesel submarines powered by an electric motor charged by fuel-powered generators—and three are submarines equipped with fuel cells (a mixture of hydrogen and liquid oxygen), allowing them to remain submerged for extended periods.
INS "Dragon," ordered in 2012 and under construction for nearly 15 years, brings new and impressive capabilities that add dimensions to the potential the submarine array provides to the IDF and the State of Israel. Commentators worldwide have wondered what is hidden under the structure in the center of the submarine, where the conning tower is located; it appears significantly longer than those of its sister ships built at the same shipyard in Germany. Most experts and foreign sources assess that it is a mechanism for the vertical launch of missiles. If this is indeed the case, the submarine will be able to launch ballistic missiles at selected targets, representing a very significant addition.
In addition to the Israeli Navy, the Turkish Navy (operating 13 submarines) and the Egyptian Navy (with 8 submarines) also operate in the Mediterranean Sea. Although numerically inferior, the Israeli Navy remains at the forefront of underwater technology, capable of carrying out secret missions in both routine and emergency situations and successfully dealing with any threat.
Power projection
The development of the Israeli submarine array, which has overcome numerous difficulties and upheavals over the years, is proof of the long-term thinking and planning within the Navy. Following the "Iron Swords" war, there is an understanding among IDF commanders that it is necessary to continue investing in the force's capabilities and turn it into a strategic "long arm" of the State of Israel, with strike capabilities and significant power projection in distant combat zones. The arrival of INS "Dragon" and its integration into the Navy's combat array is a significant statement in this direction.
The author is a former commander of the Navy and a senior researcher at the Begin-Sadat Center.
