Battle Beyond Middle-East | Israel’s New Super Submarine INS Drakon Poised to Dominate the Seas

In the face of growing tensions in the Middle East, Israel has unveiled its latest line of defense on August 2023 - the INS Drakon, a state-of-the-art submarine that is set to dominate the seas with its mystery and hidden missiles.

This development comes at a crucial time for Israel, which has long considered Iran an existential threat due to its pursuit of nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles.

The INS Drakon is the sixth submarine in Israel’s Dolphin 2 class, built as a successor to the older Dolphin 1 class submarines. At a staggering $2 billion, it is the most expensive submarine Israel has ever built.

The Drakon, like others in its class, was built in Germany and incorporates lessons learned from Israel’s existing submarine fleet.

One of the most notable features of the Drakon is its enormous sail, at least twice the size of those on Israel’s other submarines. This likely indicates advanced systems or weapons housed within the sail.

This could possibly include vertical launch missile tubes, whichever way, larger sail generally means greater capabilities. The Drakon also displaces 2,400 tons when submerged and is powered by an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system in addition to diesel-electric engines.

This enables speeds of up to 25 ( dd kilometres )knots and a range of 2,800 nautical miles without needing to snorkel to recharge batteries. The AIP and quiet electric drive make the Drakon extremely stealthy underwater.

Armaments on the INS Drakon include six 533mm and four 650mm torpedo tubes capable of launching heavyweight guided torpedoes. Missiles likely include Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Triton anti-helicopter missiles, and the Popeye Turbo cruise missile, which has a range of over 900 miles and can carry a 200-kiloton nuclear warhead.

The Drakon’s enormous size and advanced systems make it a formidable undersea weapon unmatched by Iran or other rivals. Its nuclear missile capability also provides Israel with a powerful second-strike nuclear deterrent.

The INS Drakon ensures that Israel maintains dominance beneath the waves of the Mediterranean for years to come. In these trying times for Israel, the INS Drakon represents more than just a technological marvel; it is a symbol of resilience and determination.

It sends a clear message to potential adversaries that Israel is prepared to defend itself against any threats. With this new addition to its arsenal, Israel continues to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Fast-Fact

The INS Drakon ensures that Israel maintains dominance beneath the waves of the Mediterranean for years to come. In these trying times for Israel, the INS Drakon represents more than just a technological marvel; it is a symbol of resilience and determination.

It sends a clear message to potential adversaries that Israel is prepared to defend itself against any threats. With this new addition to its arsenal, Israel continues to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.