Sea trials are an incredibly sensitive time for new submarines. Particularly for first-in-class boats or exotic types. It exposes them to unwanted attention from other navies who might want to build an acoustic library of what the new submarine sounds like. Or monitor the performance of new weapons or systems. Gathering this data during sea trials is generally easier than waiting until it is in service.
So it is natural that navies sometimes deploy specialist ships to monitor other country’s sea trials. It was a common feature of the Cold War, and continues to this day. Now two Russian spy ships, the Sibiryakov and the Wassili Tatischtschew, may be gathering intelligence on the trials of Israel’s newest submarine.
Respected naval analyst Droxford Maritime has provided a detailed analysis of the Sibiryakov‘s movements. These correspond to likely trials of Israel’s newest submarine, INS Draken. The submarine has been built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in Kiel and is understood to be undergoing sea trials.
In addition to the Siniryakov, German media is reporting that the Russian Navy intelligence ship Wassili Tatischtschew has also taken up position off Kiel.
The Spy Ship, Sibiryakov
The Russian ship Sibiryakov, a Project 865 oceanographic research vessel, has a public role conducting hydrographic surveys and gathering meteorological data. In addition to this she is specially equipped to take acoustic signature measurements of submarines.
She regularly participates in the sea trials of Russian Navy submarines in the Baltic. And she was observed operating in the vicinity of the Nord Stream pipelines in the lead up to the September 2022 attacks.
According to Droxford Maritime, the ship was operating west of Denmark between June 13-17. The area is unusual for this ship and does not correspond to its usual activities or patterns. The strong inference is that the ship was called upon to gather intelligence on submarine trials.
Newly built Type-218SG submarines for Singapore are also being tested. These have been to sea multiple times in recent years and are less likely to be a target for Russian intelligence.
The Submarine, INS Drakon
INS Drakon was launched in August last year. She is notable for having unusually large sail which likely houses vertical launch tubes for new strategic missiles. The submarine is expected to carry part of Israel’s nuclear deterrent when she enters service. This increases the sensitivity of the submarine during sea trials.
Details of the submarine, and its unique weapon system, remain shrouded in mystery. The public is not allowed close and does not have given access to its sea trails. The Russian Navy may be taking a closer look however.
Droxford Maritime points out that the Israeli submarine’s movements have not been reported. This is not unusual. However, the submarine was observed being fueled in early June, so she was likely putting to sea. Or if she wasn’t, Russia would have at least thought it possible. The spy ships would be waiting.
