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Story summary
- Israel's Navy received the INS Drakon, its sixth submarine, on 23 September 2026.
- The Drakon uses Air-Independent Propulsion, enabling extended underwater operation without surfacing.
- Defense officials cite Bab al-Mandeb blockade threat and Houthi missile activity as drivers for naval expansion.
- Each German-built submarine costs about €1 billion.
- The agreement permits Israel to order a seventh submarine.