The Israeli military acknowledged that the boycott imposed by European countries, openly or otherwise, is now directly affecting efforts to develop its equipment, particularly the capabilities of the navy. The military is facing growing difficulties obtaining components used in the construction of submarines and warships, according to a report published by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
European countries reject submarine components
The newspaper said that European countries, including Norway, Denmark and France, had refused to supply German shipyards producing Israeli submarines and assault vessels with what it described as “defence components”. The Israeli military had previously been able to circumvent some restrictions by purchasing the required equipment from third countries.
Haaretz quoted the Israeli military as confirming that the damage caused by the boycott had become tangible, contrary to statements by Israel’s political leadership about achieving “complete independence in military production”. The impact of the restrictions is particularly evident in naval programmes linked to the development, fitting and delivery of submarines.
Submarine delayed and alternative sea route taken
A new submarine named AH Dragon is due to arrive in Israel on Thursday, after its delivery was delayed by several months because of the boycott. The report also expected subsequent submarines in the same series to face lengthy delays as difficulties securing the necessary components continue. Norway and Denmark refused to allow the submarine to dock at their ports during its journey from Germany to Israel for exercises and tests.
The refusal came despite the submarine flying the German flag and being owned at the time by the German shipyard, forcing its crew to take an alternative route of about 8,000 kilometres. The Israeli military told the newspaper that other European countries had also begun preventing Israeli military and civilian vessels from entering their ports to take on fuel and supplies.
Fears of a possible naval blockade
Meanwhile, an Israeli unit operating in Germany continues to develop the next generation of Dakar submarines for the navy. According to the report, the Israeli military fears attempts to impose a naval blockade on Israel, either through protest flotillas or by targeting commercial vessels bound for the country.
It believes such developments could lead to a sharp rise in marine insurance costs and damage the economy, noting that previous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and the damage inflicted on the port of Eilat had exposed vulnerabilities to a naval blockade. Israel now treats the sea as strategic depth, rather than merely a rear boundary.
This shift began before the war on the Gaza Strip, alongside gas discoveries and the expansion of its economic waters, and then accelerated afterwards to include protecting trade, preventing infiltration, supporting ground forces, striking coastal targets, air defence and taking part in distant operations.
In March 2026, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir summed up this approach by saying that “the sea and space are Israel’s strategic depth”, pointing to the growing importance of naval capabilities in the military’s plans and operations.
