Israel's New Submarine "Dragon" Arrives After 14 Years

After fourteen years of planning, the advanced submarine INS Dragon arrives tomorrow at Haifa port to join the Israeli Navy fleet. The IDF announced Wednesday that the vessel's delivery was delayed several months due to an embargo imposed by Norway and Denmark on activities in their territories.

Military officials highlighted the German assistance and security envelope provided to protect the submarine from German ports through its departure to open waters, which they said contributed significantly to Israel.

With Dragon's arrival, the Navy will operate six submarines: three Dolphin-class vessels and three Dolphin AIP-class boats. Naval officials say the fleet provides Israel with technological and qualitative advantages, strengthening maritime control beyond the superiority already achieved in parts of the region.

The submarine "Dragon" arriving at Haifa port (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

Navy commanders emphasize the critical importance of maritime transport to Israel. A senior Navy officer illustrated the gap by comparing aircraft to ships: the largest wide-body cargo plane can carry about one hundred warheads, while a container ship can transport approximately 15,000 containers holding massive quantities of ammunition.

The Navy stresses that 98% of goods reaching Israel arrive by sea, making control of maritime space essential in both the Mediterranean and Red Sea.

"We need to remember that ultimately we are an island nation," Navy officials say. According to them, "the major challenges are the Red Sea and Yemen," while attention is also directed toward the western Mediterranean, where hostile nations could threaten access to Israel.

The IDF says that since October 7, 2023, new theaters have been added to the Navy's operational scope, including Iran, Yemen and additional countries in the western Mediterranean. Given the expanding challenges, military officials emphasize the need for additional vessels and personnel.

One area where the Navy is concentrating efforts is the underwater domain. Military officials define this field as "the surprise" on which the service is working and clarify that significant emphasis is being invested in it.

The IDF plans to transfer additional Dabur-class patrol boats to the Gulf of Eilat to address the Houthi threat and the Jordanian border, alongside additional Tzir'a-class vessels.

In coming years, according to Navy sources, new Reshef-class ships are expected to enter service, replacing the veteran Sa'ar 4.5 missile boats. This will be accompanied by acquisition of additional advanced vessels and armaments and missiles adapted to current challenges.

Dragon's arrival is part of the capability expansion discussed within the Navy, against the backdrop of newly added theaters and the importance the IDF assigns to the maritime domain and the ability to operate far from Israeli shores.