Israel's INS Drakon submarine departs Germany

Israel's sixth and most advanced submarine, the INS Drakon, has departed the TKMS shipyard in Kiel, Germany, beginning its voyage to its new home at the Haifa Naval Base. The sendoff ceremony, held this week, marked the conclusion of a joint construction phase between Israel and Germany and the official start of the submarine's journey. The Israeli flag was hoisted aboard the vessel, formally initiating its roughly 3,300-nautical-mile trip. The INS Drakon is the third and final submarine in Israel's Dolphin AIP series, following the INS Tanin and INS Rahav. However, officials and analysts note it is a significant evolution from its predecessors. The submarine features an extended hull and a dramatically enlarged sail, which has fueled speculation about its capabilities. While Israel and TKMS have confirmed the vessel contains unique and groundbreaking technologies, they have not disclosed specifics. A senior Defense Ministry official described it as the most advanced and complex weapon system in the IDF.