INS Dragon

INS Dragon (Drakon) is the sixth submarine to join the Israeli Navy and the third in the advanced Dolphin-2 class. Constructed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in Kiel, Germany, the vessel is distinguished by its significantly larger sail (the tower on top of the submarine) compared to its predecessors. Defense analysts suggest this structural modification is designed to house vertical launch systems (VLS) for advanced missiles, potentially including long-range cruise missiles or ballistic capabilities, which would provide Israel with a robust 'second-strike' capability and enhanced strategic depth.

The submarine's name, 'Dragon' (Drakon), was chosen to avoid the phonetic similarity of the originally proposed name 'Dakar' to the INS Dakar, which was lost at sea in 1968. In Hebrew, 'Drakon' preserves the letters of Dakar while symbolizing power and mythical strength. The vessel is equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, allowing it to remain submerged for extended periods without surfacing, making it nearly undetectable during long-range missions.

As of August 2026, INS Dragon has been observed undergoing sea trials in the Baltic Sea. Recent footage captured the submarine being escorted by German coast guard vessels near the port of Kiel, indicating it is in the final stages of testing before its scheduled handover to the Israeli Navy. Once operational, it will serve as a cornerstone of Israel's maritime security, tasked with intelligence gathering, special operations, and maintaining a strategic presence in the face of regional threats, particularly from the Iranian regime and its proxies. The arrival of INS Dragon marks the completion of the current Dolphin-2 procurement cycle, even as Israel looks toward the future 'Dakar-class' submarines currently in development.