Final German 'Dragon' submarine on its way to Israel as Navy continues modernization efforts

The sixth and final submarine in a long-standing German-built deal for Israel is now on its way, marking the completion of a program that has remained central to the two countries’ defense relationship.

The IDF and Israel’s Defense Ministry announced the vessel’s departure on Tuesday night. Israeli Navy Chief Vice Adm. Eyal Harel, German Naval Chief Jan Christian Kaack and other senior officials attended a send-off ceremony earlier in the week.

The submarine program is also opening a new industrial track. In February, Elbit Systems announced joint work with German shipbuilder TKMS to produce structural components for future submarines. Elbit said it would establish a facility in Israel for underwater glass-reinforced polyester components. Yoram Shmuely, general manager of Elbit’s Aerospace Division, said the cooperation would expand local manufacturing and support global activity in underwater systems.

The new submarine, named INS Drakon, was unveiled at German Naval Yards Holdings in Kiel in November 2024. In December 2025, Israel and Germany made further progress on the submarine agreements as Germany prepared to deploy Israel’s Arrow air-defense system for the first time.

Foreign publications have reported that Israeli submarines form part of a nuclear deterrence triad alongside land-based and air-based weapons. Israel has never publicly admitted possessing nuclear weapons, although former prime ministers, including Ehud Olmert, have at times alluded to the program. The IDF has also disclosed unusual details about submarine operations involving Iran, Yemen and Syria during the Israel-Hamas war, including missions that supported defense against aerial threats.

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This cooperation will expand local manufacturing capabilities and serve as an anchor for global activity in the underwater domain.