Israel acquires nuclear-capable submarine

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Israel acquires nuclear-capable submarine

In late 2024, Israel officially unveiled its next-generation Dolphin 2-class submarine, known as the Super Dolphin. The ceremony took place in the port of Kiel, Germany. The event was attended by senior Israeli Navy officials, diplomats, and the management of the German company ThyssenKrupp, which built the submarine. The new boat, named Dragon, will soon be delivered to Israel for commissioning.

The project began in 2017, but in 2018, due to design modifications and weapons upgrades, its completion dates were postponed. The final cost of the submarine was 650 million euros. The Dragon became the sixth representative of the Dolphin series and significantly surpasses its predecessors in technical characteristics.

The submarine is based on the German Type-212 model, taking into account unique Israeli developments. It is equipped with an air-independent power plant, which allows for a significant increase in autonomy. The key feature is the ability to carry cruise missiles with nuclear warheads. According to analysts, the missiles have a range of more than 1500 km, and the warhead power is estimated at 200 kilotons. These characteristics provide Israel with the strategic ability to launch a retaliatory strike from the sea in the event of a threat.

The Dolphin series of submarines replaced the aging Gal class boats that had been in service since the late 1970s. The first modification, the Dolphin-1, was based on the German Type-209 model, but received significant improvements. The second generation submarines, which include the Dragon, are larger, have improved stealth systems, and are armed with more powerful weapons.

The submarines remain the largest built in Germany since World War II and among the most expensive in the Israeli military. Their strategic importance lies in their ability to ensure national security and nuclear deterrence.

According to the Israeli Defense Ministry's plans, the older Dolphin-2031 submarines will be decommissioned and replaced by more modern new-generation Dakar-class submarines by 1. The introduction of the Dragon demonstrates Israel's desire to strengthen its naval forces and maintain technological superiority in the face of geopolitical instability.

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