Israel’s newest submarine INS Drakon heads home from Germany

Israel’s sixth submarine, INS Drakon, has begun its voyage from Germany to Israel and is expected to arrive within weeks, the IDF and Defense Ministry announced Tuesday. A send-off ceremony was held this week at the TKMS shipyard in Kiel, marking the end of years of joint Israeli-German planning and construction and the start of the submarine’s journey home. INS Drakon is the third and final submarine in the Dolphin-class AIP series purchased by the Defense Ministry for the Israeli Navy. According to the IDF, it incorporates advanced technologies designed to expand the Navy’s operational flexibility, range and endurance for years to come. The Israeli flag was raised aboard the submarine at the ceremony, formally marking the start of its voyage to Israel. Its departure was accompanied by a large-scale security operation led by the Defense Ministry’s Security Department together with German security forces.