INS Drakon, or Dragon, is an Israeli Dolphin 2-class submarine. The submarine was built in Kiel, Germany, and was reported to be on sea trials in early 2022. Although unconfirmed by either the German or Israeli government, rumor has it that the Drakon will be longer than previous boats of its class and may have new weapon capabilities, including a vertical launch system (VLS).[6] Illustrations released by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the prime contractor, show an enlarged sail and distinctly changed hullform. TKMS went on to describe the Drakon as "a completely new design, which is to be specifically engineered to fulfill the operational requirements of the Israeli Navy."[7]
.jpg) The INS Drakon at the TKMS shipyard in Kiel, Germany, in August 2023
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Israel | |
| Name | INS Drakon |
| Ordered | 2012 |
| Cost | €650m |
| Launched | 2017 (initial launch, prior to re-concepualization of the project)[1] |
| Commissioned | Expected in 2025[2] |
| Homeport | TBD |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Dolphin-class submarine |
| Type | Diesel-electric submarine |
| Displacement | 2,050 tons surfaced, 2,400 tons submerged[3] |
| Length | 68.6 m (225 ft)[3] |
| Beam | 6.8 m (22 ft) |
| Draught | 6.2 m (20 ft) |
| Propulsion | Diesel-electric, 3 diesels, 1 shaft, 4,243 shp (3,164 kW) |
| Speed | excess of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)[4] |
| Test depth | At least 350 m (1,150 ft) |
| Complement | 35 + 10 additional |
| Sensors and processing systems | Atlas Elektronik ISUS 90-1 Tactical Control System (TCS) for multiple operations including sensor management, weapon control and navigation.[5] |
| Armament |
|
In 2018 the Israeli Navy reportedly decided to pursue a major strategic change to the project which added significant delays and costs.[8]
The boat was reported to have been taken out of the water but re-launched again in August 2023. With the re-launch, photographs confirm a much larger sail which may accommodate its vertical launch missile silos, if these are indeed fit to the vessel.[9] According to analysis conducted by Matus Smutny, the sail "could also contain a special release compartment for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), aerial drones, and/or other special operations and intelligence-gathering equipment. The revised sail could also be related to some kind of proof-of-concept for technology to be used in the upcoming Dakar class".[5]
The boat was originally planned to be named Dakar, after a vessel that mysteriously sank in 1968 with all of its crew on board.[10]
The INS Drakon was christened in Kiel on 12 November 2024. It is scheduled to be delivered in the course of 2025 and will contain new technical systems. In addition to the christening, the start of construction of the future Dakar class was also celebrated with this ceremony.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Dolphin-II class submarine INS Drakon Joins Israeli Navy to Counter Regional Threats". Army Recognition. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Israel's Sixth Submarine Given Meaningful Name at Germany Ceremony". Israel Defense. 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ a b Cavas, Christopher P. (15 August 2014). "Israel's Deadliest Submarines Are Nearly Ready". Defense News. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
- ^ Israel’s Deadliest Submarines Are Nearly Ready Archived 15 August 2014 at archive.today Intercepts, Christopher P. Cavas
- ^ a b c Smutny, Matus (3 August 2023). "Latest Israeli Submarine's Big Sail Seen In New Images". The Drive. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ Sutton, H.I. (19 January 2022). "Israel's Submarine Secret: New Dolphin-IIs Could Have VLS". Naval News. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "Our First Look At Israel's New Dakar Class Submarine Reveals A Very Peculiar Feature". 20 January 2022.
- ^ Elmas, Dean Shmuel (14 November 2024). "Israel names its biggest ever submarine". Globes.
- ^ Sutton, H.I. (14 August 2023). "Israel Launches New Submarine, First In World With Modern Missiles In Sail". Naval News. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "New Navy sub to be called 'Dragon' after original choice draws fire". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
External links
edit- Israeli submarine Dolphin
- FAS: Israel: Submarines
- Dolphin class submarines cutaway diagram, Der Spiegel, 5 June 2012
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