On September 1, 2026, TKMS announced the delivery of the INS DRAKON, the third and final submarine of the HDW “Dolphin” class, to the Israeli Navy.
TKMS press release
- The third and final submarine of the HDW “Dolphin” class, equipped with AIP propulsion, has left Germany and is on its way to Israel.
- With the completion of the “Dolphin AIP” program, TKMS underscores its ability to reliably execute complex naval projects.
- The “DAKAR” class, which comprises a total of three submarines, marks the continuation of this long-standing partnership, and the next generation of submarines for the Israeli Navy is already being built.
As part of their long-standing collaboration, TKMS and the Israeli Navy held a ceremony to bid farewell to the “INS DRAKON”: The submarine has successfully departed Kiel and is now on transit to Israel.
The “INS DRAKON” is the third and final submarine of the HDW “Dolphin” class with AIP propulsion, one of the most complex submarine classes TKMS has ever built. With its departure, the “Dolphin AIP” program has been successfully completed.
Oliver Burkhard, CEO of TKMS: “With the departure of the ‘INS DRAKON,’ we are successfully concluding a challenging program that was characterized over many years by trust, technological expertise, and shared responsibility. Israel is an important partner for us in the maritime sector. With the ‘DAKAR’ class, we are continuing our collaboration and demonstrating that TKMS not only develops complex naval programs but also reliably brings them to fruition.”
In parallel with the completion of the “Dolphin AIP” program, work is progressing on the “DAKAR” class, the next generation of submarines for the Israeli Navy. Production of the first submarine in this class began several years ago. This marks the continuation of the long-standing partnership, which is continually evolving in line with the changing requirements of the maritime environment.
TKMS and the Israeli Navy share a relationship that has grown over decades and has become an integral part of defense cooperation between Germany and Israel. Several generations of naval vessels for the Israeli Navy, including Dolphin-class submarines and Sa’ar 6-class corvettes, have already been built at the company’s shipyards.
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Naval News comments
INS Drakon is notable because it reportedly introduces a new strategic weapons capability to Israel’s submarine force. As previously reported by Naval News, the submarine’s unusually large sail is believed to accommodate vertical launch tubes for new missiles. Analysis of available imagery suggests these may be submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), potentially providing Israel with a more survivable sea-based strategic strike capability. The exact configuration and missile type remain classified and have not been officially confirmed by Israel.
The apparent ballistic-missile capability would represent a significant evolution of the Dolphin-class design. Israel’s earlier Dolphin submarines are widely believed to contribute to the country’s nuclear deterrent through submarine-launched cruise missiles, reportedly carried in four enlarged torpedo tubes. The combination of these existing missile capabilities with a new ballistic-missile system aboard INS Drakon would potentially give the Israeli Navy a more flexible and survivable strategic deterrent.
