INS Drakon

Last updated
INS Drakon, Israeli submarine of German submarine class Dolphin-AIP (modified version).jpg
The INS Drakon at the TKMS shipyard in Kiel, Germany, in August 2023
History
Naval Ensign of Israel.svg Israel
NameINS Drakon
Ordered2012
Cost€650m
Launched2017 (initial launch, prior to re-concepualization of the project) [1]
CommissionedExpected in 2025 [2]
HomeportTBD
General characteristics
Class and type Dolphin-class submarine
TypeDiesel-electric submarine
Displacement2,050 tons surfaced, 2,400 tons submerged [3]
Length68.6 m (225 ft) [3]
Beam6.8 m (22 ft)
Draught6.2 m (20 ft)
PropulsionDiesel-electric, 3 diesels, 1 shaft, 4,243 shp (3,164 kW)
Speedexcess of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) [4]
Test depthAt least 350 m (1,150 ft)
Complement35 + 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
  • 6 × 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes
  • 4 × 650 mm (26 in) diameter torpedo tubes
  • Potential VLS system for Popeye Turbo SLCM (unconfirmed) [5]
  • DM-2A4 Seehake wire-guided torpedoes
  • UGM-84C Harpoon anti-ship missiles
  • Triton anti-helicopter missiles

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]

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]

Related Research Articles

Type 212A submarine Class of diesel-electric Submarine

The Type 212A is a class of diesel-electric attack submarine developed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG (HDW) for the German Navy, and the Italian Navy where it is known as the Todaro class. It features diesel propulsion and an additional air-independent propulsion (AIP) system using Siemens proton-exchange membrane (PEM) compressed hydrogen fuel cells. The submarines can operate at high speed on diesel power or switch to the AIP system for silent slow cruising, staying submerged for up to three weeks with little exhaust heat. The system is also said to be vibration-free and virtually undetectable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vertical launching system</span> Modern system for holding and firing missiles on naval vessels

A vertical launching system (VLS) is an advanced system for holding and firing missiles on mobile naval platforms, such as surface ships and submarines. Each vertical launch system consists of a number of cells, which can hold one or more missiles ready for firing. Typically, each cell can hold a number of different types of missiles, allowing the ship flexibility to load the best set for any given mission. Further, when new missiles are developed, they are typically fitted to the existing vertical launch systems of that nation, allowing existing ships to use new types of missiles without expensive rework. When the command is given, the missile flies straight up far enough to clear the cell and the ship, then turns onto the desired course.

<i>Dolphin</i>-class submarine Israeli Navy submarine class

The Dolphin class is a diesel-electric submarine developed in Israel and constructed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Kiel, Germany, for the Israeli Navy's Shayetet 7 flotilla. The first boats of the class were based on the export-only German 209-class submarines, but modified and enlarged. The Dolphin 1 sub-class is slightly larger than the German Navy Type 212 in length and displacement. The three newer air-independent propulsion (AIP) equipped boats are similar to the Type 212 vessels in underwater endurance, but are 12 metres (39 ft) longer, nearly 500 tonnes heavier in submerged displacement and have a larger crew than either the Type 212 or the Type 214.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israeli Navy</span> Maritime service branch of the Israel Defense Forces

The Israeli Navy is the naval warfare service arm of the Israel Defense Forces, operating primarily in the Mediterranean Sea theater as well as the Gulf of Eilat and the Red Sea theater. The current commander in chief of the Israeli Navy is Aluf David Saar Salama. The Israeli Navy is believed to be responsible for maintaining Israel's offshore nuclear second strike capability.

Type 214 submarine Submarine class

The Type 214 is a class of diesel–electric submarines developed exclusively for export by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW). It features diesel propulsion with an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system using Siemens polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) hydrogen fuel cells. The class combines the design principles of the Type 209 submarine family and the features of the Type 212A submarine. However, as an export design, it lacks some of the classified technologies of the Type 212 such as the non-magnetic steel hull that makes it difficult to detect using a magnetic anomaly detector.

INS <i>Dakar</i> Lost Israeli submarine

INS Dakar was a diesel–electric submarine in the Israeli Navy. The vessel, a modified World War II British T-class submarine, had previously been HMS Totem of the Royal Navy. She was purchased by Israel from the Government of the United Kingdom in 1965 as part of a three T-class submarine deal.

HMS <i>Totem</i> (P352) Submarine of the Royal Navy

HMS Totem was a Group 3 T-class submarine of the Royal Navy which entered service in the last few months of World War II. To-date, she is the only ship of the Royal Navy to have been named Totem.

Type 209 submarine Submarine class

The Type 209 is a range of diesel-electric attack submarines developed exclusively for export by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft of Germany. Five class variants, including modifications thereof, have been successfully exported to 15 countries, with 68 submarines being built and commissioned to five different variants between 1971 and 2021. More boats have been built to modified designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems</span> German naval vessel company

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems of Germany is a group and holding company of providers of naval vessels, surface ships and submarines. It was founded when large industrial conglomerate ThyssenKrupp acquired Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft on January 5, 2005.

The Type 216 is a submarine design concept announced by the German shipbuilding company Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft based on the Type 212/214.

The Invincible-class submarines, formally classified as the Type 218SG submarines, is a class of conventionally-powered attack submarines on order by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) from German-based naval conglomerate ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Tailored to the operational requirements of the RSN, the model is derivative of the export-oriented Type 214 submarine, with specific design characteristics drawn from Type 212 submarines. They feature several capabilities, including a substantial level of automation, a significant payload capacity, enhanced underwater endurance and superlative ergonomics.

INS <i>Tanin</i> (2012) Israeli submarine

INS Tanin is an Israeli Dolphin 2-class submarine of Shayetet 7 flotilla. The name means "crocodile" in modern Hebrew, but can also mean the sea monster "tannin". The submarine was launched in February 2012 in Kiel, Germany, and was delivered to the Israeli port city Haifa later that year, and entered service in 2014.

INS <i>Rahav</i> (2013)

INS Rahav is an Israeli Dolphin 2-class submarine of Shayetet 7 flotilla. The name is Hebrew for "Rahab." The submarine was built in Kiel, Germany, and delivered to the Israeli port city Haifa 12 January 2016, where entered service the next day.

Saar 6-class corvette Class of Israeli Navy corvettes ordered in 2015

The Sa'ar 6-class corvette is a series of four German-made corvettes ordered for the Israeli Navy in May 2015. These are operated by Shayetet 3 flotilla.

INS <i>Oz</i> Saar-class corvette

INS Oz is a Sa'ar 6-class corvette of the Israeli Navy's Shayetet 3 Flotilla. She is the second ship of her class.

INS <i>Atzmaut</i> Saar 6-class corvette

INS Atzmaut is a Sa'ar 6-class corvette of the Israeli Navy's Shayetet 3 Flotilla. She is the third ship of her class.

The Type 212CD class is a submarine class developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the Norwegian and German navies. The class is derived from the Type 212 submarine class, but will be significantly larger than the 212 class.

The Dakar-class submarine is a class of AIP-capable, diesel-electric multipurpose attack submarines ordered by the Israeli Navy from German-based naval conglomerate ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shayetet 7</span> Military unit

Shayetet 7 is the only submarine flotilla of the Israeli Navy. It is based in Haifa naval base and operates Dolphin-class submarines. It was established in 1959 and is considered an elite unit due to the nature of its services.

References

  1. ↑ "Dolphin-II class submarine INS Drakon Joins Israeli Navy to Counter Regional Threats". Army Recognition. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Israel's Sixth Submarine Given Meaningful Name at Germany Ceremony". Israel Defense. 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  3. 1 2 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.
  4. ↑ Israel’s Deadliest Submarines Are Nearly Ready Archived 15 August 2014 at archive.today Intercepts, Christopher P. Cavas
  5. 1 2 3 Smutny, Matus (3 August 2023). "Latest Israeli Submarine's Big Sail Seen In New Images". The Drive. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  6. ↑ Sutton, H.I. (19 January 2022). "Israel's Submarine Secret: New Dolphin-IIs Could Have VLS". Naval News. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  7. ↑ "Our First Look At Israel's New Dakar Class Submarine Reveals A Very Peculiar Feature". 20 January 2022.
  8. ↑ Elmas, Dean Shmuel (14 November 2024). "Israel names its biggest ever submarine". Globes.
  9. ↑ Sutton, H.I. (14 August 2023). "Israel Launches New Submarine, First In World With Modern Missiles In Sail". Naval News. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  10. ↑ "New Navy sub to be called 'Dragon' after original choice draws fire". The Times of Israel . Retrieved 8 March 2022.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.