Israel has received its newest and most expensive submarine ever from Germany—the INS Drakon. The massive vessel, estimated to cost around $634 million, was built at specialized shipyards in Kiel, Germany, and was delivered to the Israeli Navy in late July 2026. The submarine is equipped with highly advanced systems that allow it to remain underwater in complete silence for extended periods, Fox News reported Sunday.
1+According to the report, because of its exceptional size—stretching over 70 meters in length—the submarine can carry large missiles with far longer ranges than before. What this means is that Israel can now launch missiles from the sub and reach any point in Iran directly from Mediterranean waters. This capability saves the submarine from having to navigate dangerous or overly long routes, like passing through the Suez Canal or circumnavigating the entire African continent.
The submarine’s central importance is creating a backup plan in case of a severe surprise attack. Security experts explain that if something hits IDF bases on land or at ports, a submarine deep underwater, hidden from enemy eyes, could respond immediately and deliver a devastating counterstrike.
1+The submarine’s name, “Drakon,” was chosen to symbolize power, but also to commemorate the fighters of the submarine “Dakar” that sank in the past, by incorporating the letters D, K, and R into the name.
Israel’s submarine project is considered one of the country’s most important defense systems in recent decades. The submarines are manufactured in Germany for the IDF to gather secret intelligence and provide a security net against distant enemy states. The arrival of the Drakon completes a major phase in strengthening the Navy and prepares the IDF for the security challenges of the coming years.