Story perspectives

Israel commissions INS Drakon Dolphin-2 submarine in Haifa

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 8:05 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Israel’s Navy commissioned the INS Drakon, a Dolphin-2 submarine, after a 23-day, 3,792-nm voyage from Germany.
The 74-m, 2,600-t vessel docked in Haifa on 27 September 2026.
Air-independent propulsion enables Drakon to remain submerged longer, enhancing stealth.
Israeli weapons and intelligence systems will be installed over two-to-three months before the submarine becomes operational.
President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attended the ceremony.

History

Historical Context

Israel’s first Dolphin-class submarine, INS Leviathan, entered service in 1999 after German shipyard HDW built three vessels for the Shayetet 7 flotilla. Subsequent deals—2006’s two upgraded AIP boats, a 2011 sixth submarine subsidized by Germany, and a 2017 memorandum for three Dakar-class subs—culminated in the 2026 commissioning of INS Drakon, a 74-metre, 2,600-tonne vessel and the largest German-built submarine since World War II.

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Story summary

Israel’s Navy commissioned the INS Drakon, a Dolphin-2 submarine, after a 23-day, 3,792-nm voyage from Germany.
The 74-m, 2,600-t vessel docked in Haifa on 27 September 2026.
Air-independent propulsion enables Drakon to remain submerged longer, enhancing stealth.
Israeli weapons and intelligence systems will be installed over two-to-three months before the submarine becomes operational.
President Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attended the ceremony.

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