The IDF's New Dragon: 'Our Long Arm Is Getting Longer and Stronger'

After nearly a decade of construction, the Israeli Navy's new submarine, INS Dragon, has been delivered and is conducting sea trials in Germany. Costing around €550 million, it is larger than its predecessors and will carry advanced weaponry and intelligence-gathering and strike capabilities. The submarine is expected to arrive in Israel in a few weeks. During the trials, the German Navy and special units of the defense establishment are securing the area and crew. A Russian spy ship was spotted nearby, possibly collecting acoustic signature data.

After nearly a decade of construction, the INS Dragon has been delivered to the Israeli Navy and is conducting sea trials in Germany. The submarine, which costs about €550 million, is larger than its predecessors and will carry advanced weaponry and intelligence-gathering and strike capabilities. The submarine is expected to arrive in Israel in a few weeks. During the sea trials in Germany, the German Navy and special units of the defense establishment are securing the operational area and the crew members in Germany. According to a report, a Russian ship tasked with espionage missions was found in an unusual area of the North Sea, and at the same time, the INS Dragon submarine was in the area conducting a 'test sail'. It is possible that the Russian ship collected information on the submarine's acoustic signature. The INS Dragon is considered the most expensive weapon system in the IDF's possession, and its specifications are kept secret.