Dolphin-class submarine#Additional procurement

First budgeted in July 1989 and ordered in January 1990, by November the order for the submarines was cancelled. This was due to budget reallocation aimed at countering Iraqi threats made against Israel following the Iraqi invasion and annexation of neighboring Kuwait during the leadup to the 1991 Gulf War. Funding for the first two boats (Dolphin and Leviathan) was fully subsidized by the German government to restart the construction program and the third (Tekumah) received a 50% subsidy. During the First Gulf War, it was revealed that German firms had assisted Iraq with modernizing its ballistic missile and chemical weapon programs, thanks in part to lax enforcement by German customs, in violation of the Missile Technology Control Regime protocols which West Germany had acceded to in 1987.{{Cite web|url=https://www.idsa-india.org/an-sep9-5.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001012045446/http://idsa-india.org/an-sep9-5.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 12, 2000|title=Missile Technology Control Regime: Impact Assessment|website=www.idsa-india.org}} These enhanced missiles brought Israeli cities into Iraqi targeting range for the first time, and the Iraqi weapons research program included factories and necessary supplies for the creation of weaponized mustard and nerve gas.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/mar/06/uk.iraq|title=Britain's dirty secret|author=David Leigh|work=The Guardian|date=6 March 2003|access-date=1 May 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.iraqwatch.org/profiles/missile.html |title=Iraq's Missiles" a Brief History |publisher=IraqWatch.org |access-date=25 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218050214/http://www.iraqwatch.org/profiles/missile.html |archive-date=18 February 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} Though not a belligerent in the Gulf War, Israeli cities were nevertheless bombarded by these upgraded Iraqi missiles.{{cite web |url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/aboutisrael/history/pages/the%20gulf%20war%20-%201991.aspx |title=The Gulf War (1991) |publisher=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=17 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213015723/http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/aboutisrael/history/pages/the%20gulf%20war%20-%201991.aspx |archive-date=13 December 2013 }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/18/newsid_4588000/4588486.stm |title=On This Day: January 18 – 1991: Iraqi Scud missiles hit Israel |work=BBC |access-date=25 December 2014}} To compensate Israel for war-related damage and economic losses{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/arms-israel-germany-idUSGEE5AN12E20091125 |title=Israel seeks discount on two German warships |first=Dan |last=Williams |date=25 November 2009 |work=Reuters |access-date=25 December 2014}} and keep German shipyards occupied with a high profile project in the post Cold War defense spending downturn,{{cite web |url=http://dspace.cigilibrary.org/jspui/bitstream/123456789/24800/1/European%20defense%20industry.pdf?1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111193710/http://dspace.cigilibrary.org/jspui/bitstream/123456789/24800/1/European%20defense%20industry.pdf?1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-11-11 |title=The European Defense Industry: Prospects for Consolidation |publisher=UNISCI Discussion Papers |last=Guay |first=Terrence |date=October 2005 |access-date=25 December 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/israel/sub.htm |title=Israel: Submarines |access-date=25 July 2011 |website=GlobalSecurity.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604012228/http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/israel/sub.htm |archive-date=June 4, 2011 }} then Chancellor of Germany Helmut Kohl approved an assistance package to German industry including the construction of two Dolphin-class submarines.{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/germanisraeli-dolphin-aip-sub-deal-finalized-02552/ |title=German-Israeli Dolphin AIP Sub Contract Signed |publisher=Defense Industry Daily |date=22 August 2006 |access-date=25 December 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://submarines.dotan.net/dolphins/project.htm |title=The Dolphin Project |first1=Captain(Res.) I. |last1=Fogelson |first2=Captain(Res.) M. |last2=Keisary |first3=Commander(Res.) R. D. |last3=Koehler |publisher=Zahal (Israel military store) |date=11 December 1999 |access-date=25 December 2014}}

The names Dolphin and Leviathan hail from the retired Israeli WWII-era submarines of the British T class; the third boat Tekuma (translation: Revival) commemorates {{INS|Dakar||2}}, the third Israeli boat of the T class which was lost in 1968 with all Israeli crew in the Mediterranean Sea during delivery. The names of the newer boats {{INS|Tanin|2012|2}} and {{INS|Rahav|2013|2}} are taken from retired {{sclass|Gal|submarine|1}}s, which were themselves named after even older Israeli S-class submarines.{{cite web |url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART2/317/269.html?hp=1&cat=875 |script-title=he:בחיל הים שקלו לקרוא לצוללת החדשה דקר |language=he |publisher=nrg.org |date=18 December 2011 |access-date=25 December 2014}}

File:Dolphin class submarine.svg).]]

File:Dolphin II AIP class submarine.svg).]]

In 2006 Israel signed a contract with ThyssenKrupp to purchase two additional submarines from its HDW subsidiary. The two new boats are an upgraded version displacing 28% heavier than the older Dolphins, featuring an air-independent propulsion system, similar to the one used on German Type 212 submarines. On 6 July 2006, the Government of Germany decided to finance an advance to start the construction, about €170 million, planned for delivery in 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=166072 |title=First German-Israeli cabinet set to meet |last=Weinthal |first=Benjamin |date=18 January 2010 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=25 December 2014}} The two submarines cost, overall, around €1.3 billion, of up to one-third was subsidized by Germany. In 2010, both Israel and Germany denied having talks regarding the potential purchase of a sixth submarine.{{cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=182358 |title=MOD: No talks with Germany over sub |first=Yaakov |last=Katz |date=23 July 2010 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=25 December 2014}} Yet in 2011, Israel ordered a sixth Dolphin-class submarine, for which it was reported to pay the unsubsidized cost of US$1 billion.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4064989,00.html |title=Israel buys Dolphin submarine |newspaper=Ynetnews.com |first=Shimon |last=Shiffer |date=5 May 2011 |access-date=25 December 2014}} However, in July 2011, during a meeting between German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense minister Ehud Barak, an agreement was reached to subsidize €135 million of the US$500–700 million cost of the sixth submarine.{{cite news |url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,774904,00.html |title=Waffendeal: Deutschland subventioniert U-Boot für Israel |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |date=17 July 2011 |access-date=25 December 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=229801 |author=JPost.com Staff |date=18 July 2011 |access-date=25 December 2014 |title=Germany to finalize sale of Dolphin submarine to Israel |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post}}

File:INS Tanin (Dolphin II class).JPG, in July 2012.]]

In 2016, it was revealed that a new sonar developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems had begun to be fitted on all Dolphin submarines in the last two years. The new capabilities provided to the Dolphin submarines by the Israeli sonar also include detection of vessels with a low noise signature. The algorithms used in the sonar systems enable it to ignore many of the noises that can disrupt the range of the systems' activity, while detecting very distant noises.[http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israel-navy-to-fit-upgraded-sonar-on-submarines-1001160259 Israel Navy to fit upgraded sonar on submarines] 09/11/2016, 20:58, Yuval Azulai

In late 2016 reports emerged of negotiations for the purchase of three additional ThyssenKrupp built submarines.{{Cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-looks-to-buy-three-new-nuclear-capable-subs-report/|title=Israel looks to buy three new nuke-capable subs – report|website=www.timesofisrael.com}} The former Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, who opposed the acquisition during his tenure, called for the Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to investigate the negotiations which included Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's personal attorney David Shimron for work while on retainer to the offices of Miki Ganor which represents ThyssenKrupp in Israel.{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-netanyahu-s-confidant-appointed-director-in-firm-advising-german-submarine-maker-1.5462783|title=Netanyahu's confidant appointed director in firm advising German submarine maker|newspaper=Haaretz}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/german-company-claims-no-misconduct-in-submarine-deal-473301|title=German company claims no misconduct in Israel submarine deal|work=The Jerusalem Post}} On 23 November 2016 Mandelblit decided to ask the state prosecutor to move forward with an investigation into the case.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/attorney-general-to-open-police-investigation-into-netanyahu-submarine-affair-473471|title=Attorney-General to open police investigation into Netanyahu submarine affair|work=The Jerusalem Post}} In July 2021 with the newly formed government in power and the Netanyahu-led government out of power MK Gantz the new Defense Minister as well as MK Sa'ar began an official process into initiating a state investigation into the case 3000 submarine procurement case saying "An official inquiry committee that will investigate all aspects of the affair is the need of the hour".{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/gantz-and-saar-to-initiate-official-enquiry-into-submarine-affair-674104|title = Gantz and Sa'ar to launch official inquiry into Submarine Affair| date=17 July 2021 }} However, the government's submarine procurement investigation was delayed as the ThyssenKrupp negotiations for the purchase of new submarines with additional capabilities was ongoing and likely to cost €2.4B.Anna Ahronheim. (19 January 2022)."New Israeli submarines to have new capabilities". [https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-693962 JP website] Retrieved 20 January 2022.

In October 2017, Israel and Germany confirmed that they finalised a memorandum of understanding covering the Israeli Navy's purchase of three more Dolphin-class submarines to be delivered starting in 2027.{{Cite web|last=GDC|date=2021-10-12|title=Israel Going Ahead With German Submarine Deal|url=https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2021/10/13/israel-going-ahead-with-german-submarine-deal/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=Global Defense Corp|language=en-US}} The deal was formally signed in January 2022 with the then envisaged delivery of the first boat occurring within nine years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-signs-scandal-ridden-e3-billion-deal-with-germany-to-buy-new-submarines/|title = Israel signs scandal-ridden €3 billion deal with Germany to buy new submarines|website = The Times of Israel}} These boats would replace the first three of the class which by then would be about 30 years old. Germany would provide industrial subsidies to German companies building and outfitting the submarines covering a third of purchase costs.{{Cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/75163/israel-and-germany-sign-delayed-mou-for-submarine |title=Israel and Germany sign delayed MoU for submarine | Jane's 360 |access-date=2017-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026054014/http://www.janes.com/article/75163/israel-and-germany-sign-delayed-mou-for-submarine |archive-date=2017-10-26 |url-status=dead }}

Image:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - The Chief of Staff Tours Israel's Naval Bases (4).jpg, Benny Gantz, reviewing a Dolphin-I submarine, in 2014.]]

Each submarine is fitted with 6 × {{convert|533|mm|in|abbr=on}} torpedo tubes, and 4 × {{convert|650|mm|in|abbr=on}} torpedo tubes. The very large 650 mm tubes can be used for laying mines, larger submarine-launched cruise missiles, or swimmer delivery vehicles, and with liners the tubes could be used for standard torpedoes and submarine-launched missiles.{{cite web |url=http://www.nti.org/db/submarines/israel/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070704194800/http://www.nti.org/db/submarines/israel/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-07-04|title=Israel Submarine Capabilities}} The boats were first armed with Atlas Elektronik DM2A3 torpedoes using wire-guided active homing to deliver a {{convert|260|kg|abbr=on}} warhead at a maximum speed of {{convert|40|kn}} to a target over {{convert|13|km|abbr=on}} away, in passive homing mode a speed of {{convert|22|kn}} and a range up to {{convert|28|km|abbr=on}} is possible. Israel has also procured the more advanced DM2A4 torpedo, successor to their DM2A3s, which are electrically propelled, equipped with fiber optic communications and has countermeasure resistant signals processing and mission logic.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.asiapacificdefencereporter.com/articles/98/A-German-Success-Story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114183832/http://www.asiapacificdefencereporter.com/articles/98/A-German-Success-Story |archive-date=2018-01-14 |title=A German Success Story |magazine=Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter |date=22 December 2010 |access-date=25 December 2014}} A wet and dry compartment is installed for deploying underwater special operations teams.{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/germany-may-sell-2-more-dolphin-subs-to-israel-for-117b-01528/ |title=Germany May Sell 2 more Dolphin subs to Israel for 117 billion |publisher=Defenseindustrydaily.com |access-date=25 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://defense-update.com/20120214_idas-submarine-launched-surface-to-air-missile-system.html |title=IDAS Submarine Launched Surface to Air Missile System |publisher=Defense-Update.com |date=14 February 2014 |access-date=25 December 2014}}

Jane's Defence Weekly reported that the Dolphin-class submarines are believed to be nuclear armed, offering Israel a sea-based, second strike capability. In adherence to Missile Technology Control Regime rules the US Clinton administration rejected an Israeli request in 2000 to purchase Tomahawk long range SLCMs. The U.S. Navy has deployed nuclear armed and conventional Tomahawk missiles for its submarine fleet which are launched from standard heavy 533 mm torpedo tubes.{{cite journal |url=http://www.princeton.edu/sgs/publications/sgs/pdf/1_1-2Thomas.pdf |last=Thomas |first=Valerie|author-link=Valerie M. Thomas |journal=Science & Global Security |year=1989 |volume=1

|issue=1–2 |pages=27–57 |title=Verification of Limits on Long-range Nuclear SLCMs |access-date=25 December 2014|doi=10.1080/08929888908426322 |bibcode=1989S&GS....1...27T }} The Federation of American Scientists and GlobalSecurity.org reported that the four larger torpedo tubes are capable of launching Israeli built nuclear-armed Popeye Turbo cruise missiles (a variant of the Popeye standoff missile), and the U.S. Navy recorded an Israeli submarine-launched cruise missile test in the Indian Ocean ranging {{convert|1500|km|mi|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/israel/missile/popeye-t.htm |title=Popeye Turbo - Israel Special Weapons |publisher=Federation of American Scientists |date=20 June 2000 |access-date=25 December 2014}}

The Dolphin class uses the ISUS 90-1 TCS weapon control system supplied by STN Atlas Elektronik, for automatic sensor management, fire control, navigation, and operations. The installed radar warning receiver is a 4CH(V)2 Timnex electronic support measures system, scanning from 5{{nbsp}}GHz to 20{{nbsp}}GHz frequency bands and able to pinpoint radar sites with accuracy between 5 and 10 degrees of angle (depending on frequency).{{cite journal |url=http://www.harpoonhq.com/waypoint/articles/Article_042.pdf |last=Friedman |first=Norman |title=Up Periscope Up antenna |journal=Waypoint |date=February 2003 |access-date=25 December 2014 |archive-date=26 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226042612/http://www.harpoonhq.com/waypoint/articles/Article_042.pdf |url-status=dead }} The surface search radar is an Elta unit operating on I band. The sonar suite includes the advanced Atlas Elektronik CSU 90 hull-mounted passive and active search and attack sonar. The PRS-3 passive ranging sonar is also supplied by Atlas Elektronik, the flank array is a FAS-3 passive search sonar. A notable design feature is the prismatic hull cross-section and smoothly faired transitions from the hull to the sail, improving the boat's stealth characteristics. The ship and internal features are constructed of nonmagnetic materials, significantly reducing the chances of it being detected by magnetometers or setting off magnetic naval mines. The submarines have two Kollmorgen periscopes. The Dolphins can mount an external special forces hangar aft of their sail.{{cite web |last1=Sutton |first1=H I |title=Image reveals Shayetet-13's submarine hangar |url=http://www.hisutton.com/Israeli-Navy-Dolphin-Class-Submarine-with-Special-Forces-Hangar.html |website=www.hisutton.com |publisher=HI Sutton |access-date=16 October 2020}}

The Dolphins are equipped with three V-16 396 SE 84 diesel engines{{cite web |title=Submarines |url=http://www.mtu-online.com/mtu/applications/military-governmental-vessels/submarines/ |publisher=MTU Online |access-date=25 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226033617/http://www.mtu-online.com/mtu/applications/military-governmental-vessels/submarines/ |archive-date=26 December 2014 }} built by MTU Friedrichshafen (now Tognum), developing {{convert|3.12|MW|abbr=on}} sustained power. The submarines are equipped with three Siemens 750{{nbsp}}kW alternators, and a Siemens 2.85{{nbsp}}MW sustained-power motor driving a single shaft. The propulsion system provides a speed of {{convert|20|kn}} submerged and a snorkeling speed of {{convert|11|kn}}. The hull is rated for dives up to {{convert|350|m|abbr=on}}. The maximum unrefuelled range is {{convert|8000|nmi}} traveling on the surface at {{convert|8|kn}} and over {{convert|400|nmi}} at {{convert|8|kn}} submerged; they are designed to remain unsupplied for up to 30 days on station.

File:I.n.s. dolfin-03.JPG

According to news reports the submarines are normally based in the Mediterranean,{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5621XZ20090703 |title=Israeli sub sails Suez, signaling reach to Iran |last=Williams |first=Dan |date=3 July 2009 |work=Reuters |access-date=25 December 2014}} although one Dolphin class was sent to the Red Sea for exercises, briefly docking at the naval base of Eilat in June 2009, which Israeli media interpreted as a warning to Iran.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10582762 |title=Israel sends sub as 'a warning' |date=6 July 2009 |newspaper=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=2012-07-06}}{{dead link |date=July 2012}} In 2009 the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, quoting an Israeli defence official, reported that the very small Eilat naval station is unsuited strategically to base the Dolphin-class boats, specifically noting the tight entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba at the Straits of Tiran as one held by potential adversaries including Saudi Arabia on the east and the demilitarized Egyptian Sinai to the west. Eilat is a {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} strip of coast between Egypt and Jordan. According to The London Sunday Times, the Israeli Navy decided in May 2010 to keep at least one submarine equipped with nuclear-tipped SLCM there permanently as a deterrent in response to rumored ballistic missiles moved from Syria to Lebanon.

If the boats are based at the larger Haifa naval base, access to the Persian Gulf area either requires openly sailing on the surface through the Egyptian controlled Suez Canal as permitted in the Egypt–Israel peace treaty or a long voyage sailing around Africa. According to the Convention of Constantinople signed by the ruling great powers of the time including the UK, France, and the Ottoman Empire on March 2, 1888; "The Suez Maritime Canal shall always be free and open, in time of war as in time of peace, to every vessel of commerce or of war, without distinction of flag."{{sourcetext|source=Constantinople Convention of the Suez Canal}} Denied crossing at the Suez Canal and blockade of the Straits of Tiran occurred in both in 1956 and 1967 leading to Israel twice seizing the Sinai to break the blockade.{{cite book |first=Michael B. |last=Oren |title=Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East |location=Oxford |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2002 |isbn=0-19-515174-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/sixdaysofwarjune0000oren }} The Egypt–Israel peace treaty allows for the free passage of Israeli vessels through the Suez Canal, and recognizes the Strait of Tiran and the Gulf of Aqaba as international waterways. Even if a Red Sea or Indian Ocean base is unavailable other nations have used submarine tenders, ships that resupply, rearm, and refuel submarines at sea, when nearby friendly bases are unavailable.

According to two contradictory Sudanese media reports, in November or December 2011 two Israeli air raids against Gaza-bound weapon smugglers in Sudan were accompanied by Israeli submarine activity off the Sudanese coast.{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/reports-in-sudan-israel-struck-two-weapons-convoys-in-past-month-1.403521 |newspaper=Haaretz |title=Reports in Sudan: Israel struck two weapons convoys in past month |last1=Issacharoff |first1=Avi |last2=Harel |first2=Amos |date=25 December 2011 |access-date=25 December 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=250872 |title=Sudanese media report on Israeli air strikes |first1=Joanna |last1=Paraszczuk |first2=Yaakov |last2=Katz |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=25 December 2011 |access-date=25 December 2014}} The Sudanese government claims no strikes took place.

In February 2012, Ynet, the online version of the Israeli newspaper Yediot Achronot, reported that for security reasons applicants for the submarine service with dual citizenship or citizenship in addition to Israeli, which is common in Israel with a relatively high percentage of olim (immigrants), must officially renounce all other citizenships to be accepted into the training program.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4187233,00.html |title=IDF submarine fleet bans dual citizenship |first=Yoav |last=Zitun |newspaper=Ynet |date=8 February 2012 |access-date=25 December 2014}}

Israel National News and The Jerusalem Post both had articles on Sunday, July 14, 2013, which quoted that day's London Sunday Times saying that the July 5 Israeli missile strike against the Syrian port of Latakia, previously reported by CNN as an Israel Air Force strike, was made in coordination with the United States, and long range missiles were launched from a Dolphin-class submarine. The attack targeted newly unloaded Russian-made Yakhont long range high performance anti-ship missiles and associated radars.{{Cite web |url=http://www.debka.com/article/23116/ |title=US to media: Israel struck Latakia arsenal last week. Will Putin and Assad make good on threats of reprisal? |access-date=2013-07-14 |archive-date=2013-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716081504/http://debka.com/article/23116/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/169888 |title=Report: Israel Struck in Syria from the Sea |work=Israelnationalnews.com |last=Benari |first=Elad |date=14 July 2013 |access-date=25 December 2014}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Israeli-submarine-strike-hit-Syrian-arms-depot-319756 |title=Report: Israeli submarine strike hit Syrian arms depot |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=17 April 2013 |access-date=25 December 2014}}

In December, 2020, an IDF submarine transited the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, en route to the Persian Gulf in possible preparation for any Iranian retaliation over the November assassination of a senior Iranian nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iran-israel-fakhrizadeh-nuclear-assassination/2020/12/23/fca9e0fe-44e8-11eb-ac2a-3ac0f2b8ceeb_story.html | title=Israel deploys submarine to Persian Gulf in message of deterrence to Iran | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=23 December 2020 | access-date=24 December 2020}}

file:INS Drakon, Israeli submarine of German submarine class Dolphin-AIP (modified version).jpg

Although unconfirmed by either the German or Israeli government, there was speculation that the Drakon would be longer than previous boats of its class and might have new weapon capabilities, including a vertical launch system (VLS).{{cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/01/israels-submarine-secret-new-dolphin-class-boat-could-have-vls/|title=Israel's Submarine Secret: New Dolphin-IIs Could Have VLS|date=19 January 2022|website=Naval News |last=Sutton |first=H.I. |access-date=15 August 2023}} Illustrations released by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the prime contractor, show it with an enlarged sail and distinctly changed hullform. TKMS went on to describe the Dakar as “a completely new design, which is to be specifically engineered to fulfill the operational requirements of the Israeli Navy.” {{cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43951/our-first-look-at-israels-new-dakar-class-submarine-reveals-a-very-peculiar-feature|title=Our First Look At Israel's New Dakar Class Submarine Reveals A Very Peculiar Feature|date=20 January 2022 }}

The boat was reported to have been taken out of the water but re-launched again in August 2023. With the re-launch, photographs confirmed a much larger sail which might accommodate its vertical launch missile silos, if these fitted to the vessel.{{cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/israel-launches-new-submarine-first-in-world-with-modern-missiles-in-sail/ |title=Israel Launches New Submarine, First In World With Modern Missiles In Sail |date=14 August 2023|website=Naval News |last=Sutton |first=H.I. |access-date=15 August 2023}} 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".{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/new-israeli-submarines-big-sail-seen-in-images |title=Latest Israeli Submarine's Big Sail Seen In New Images |date=3 August 2023|website=The Drive |last=Smutny |first=Matus |access-date=15 August 2023}}

Dolphin-I

• Dolphin – {{lang|he|דולפין}} – trans. Dolphin (named after an older submarine Dolphin purchased in the 60s)
• Leviathan – {{lang|he|לוויתן}} – trans. "Leviathan" or "Whale" (named after an older submarine, Leviathan, purchased in 1965)
• Tekumah – {{lang|he|תקומה}} – trans. "Revival"

Dolphin-II

• Tanin – {{lang|he|תנין}} - trans. "Tannin" or "Crocodile" (named after an older submarine {{INS|Tanin|1958}})
• Rahav – {{lang|he|רהב}} - trans. "Rahab" or "Splendour"Tannin and Rahav both mentioned in Isaiah 51 "Art thou not it that hewed Rahab in pieces, that pierced the dragon" (named after an older submarine {{INS|Rahav|1958}})
• Drakon – {{lang|he|דרקון}} – trans. "Dragon". The Hebrew name contains the letters {{Script/Hebrew|דקר}}, the Hebrew name of {{INS|Dakar}}, a submarine lost in 1968.

Submarines of similar comparison

• Type 212 submarine - A diesel-electric attack-submarine class developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems TKMS and exclusively built for the German Navy, the Italian Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy.
• Type 214 submarine - An export-oriented diesel-electric attack-submarines, developed by TKMS and operated by the Hellenic Navy, the Portuguese Navy, the Republic of Korea Navy and the Turkish Naval Forces.
• Type-216 submarine - double-storey sub designed by TKMS, as a replacement for the Australian's Collins-class submarine, and the base-design for Singapore's Navy Invincible-class submarines
• Type 218SG submarine - A heavily modified Type-216{{Cite web |last=Kuper |first=Stephen |date=2018-11-05 |title=Dive! Dive! The emerging submarine power players |url=https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/maritime-antisub/3120-dive-dive-the-emerging-submarine-power-players |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=www.defenceconnect.com.au |language=en}} X-tail diesel-electric AIP attack-submarine, similar to Israel's Dolphin- II submarines, also by TKMS, operated by the Singapore Navy.
• {{sclass2|Scorpène|submarine|1}} - A class of export-oriented diesel-electric attack-submarines, jointly developed by Naval Group and Navantia and currently operated by the Chilean Navy, the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Indian Navy and the Brazilian Navy.
• S-80 Plus submarine - A class of conventionally-powered attack-submarines, currently being built by Navantia for the Spanish Navy.
• Blekinge-class submarine is a class of submarine developed by Kockums for the Swedish Navy
• KSS-III submarine - A class of diesel-electric attack and ballistic missile submarines, built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and Hyundai Heavy Industries and operated by the Republic of Korea Navy.
• {{sclass|Sōryū|submarine|1}} - A class of diesel-electric attack-submarines, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
• {{sclass|Taigei|submarine|1}} - A class of diesel-electric attack submarines currently being built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
• Type 039A submarine - A class of diesel-electric attack-submarines operated by the People's Liberation Army Navy (China) and being built for the navies of the Royal Thai Navy and the Pakistan Navy.
• {{sclass2|Lada|submarine|1}} - A class of diesel-electric attack-submarines being built for the Russian Navy.

Other references to the Israeli Navy

• {{sclass|Dakar|submarine|1}} - A unique class of diesel-electric attack-submarines developed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and currently being built for the Israeli Navy.
• List of ships of the Israeli Navy

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Dolphin-class submarine}}

• FAS: [https://fas.org/nuke/guide/israel/sub Israel: Submarines]

{{Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft}}

{{Dolphin class submarines}}

{{Modern German submarines}}

Category:Attack submarines

Category:Submarine classes

Category:Submarines of Germany