Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday 4 October that Israel would strengthen its naval capabilities by acquiring more submarines, ships and other combat means, as part of an effort to place it among the world's leading countries in naval warfare and undersea operations.
Netanyahu announces expansion of naval capabilities
The announcement came during a visit by Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz to the naval base in Ashdod. Netanyahu said the heads of the security services had told him that the forces needed additional naval means, explaining that the sixth submarine had already arrived, while the security establishment was requesting more submarines and ships, as well as other means whose nature he did not specify.
Netanyahu described the maritime domain as having become an “international battlefield”, citing developments in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb. He added that entities he described as “Israel's enemies” were seeking to threaten its maritime domain in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as its ports and shipping. The Israeli prime minister said his country would work to protect its security from the sea, while increasing its offensive and defensive capabilities in the maritime and undersea domains.
Fleet modernisation for long-range missions
The statements form part of a broader plan to modernise the fleet and strengthen its ability to carry out long-range missions. During the visit, Netanyahu and Katz were briefed by the commander of the naval forces and the commander of the Ashdod base on challenges in the maritime arena, as well as the forces' activity in the southern region.
The briefing covered the work of ongoing security units and naval landing units, in addition to a review of the nature of the missions carried out by these units. Netanyahu and Katz also watched a display of combat means used by the naval forces to address threats, whether in defensive missions or offensive operations, according to a statement issued by the office of the Israeli prime minister.
Sixth submarine arrives from Germany
Netanyahu linked the need for more of these means to the expanding threats relating to ports, sea lanes and shipping. The plan follows the arrival of the Drakon submarine from Germany last September, making it the sixth submarine in the Israeli fleet as part of an ongoing programme to develop naval capabilities.
The submarine belongs to the latest generation of Israeli submarines, as Tel Aviv continues work on developing additional Dakar-class submarines. Drakon is the first Israeli Dolphin 2-class submarine to be built in Germany in more than a decade.
It was designed to provide advanced capabilities enabling it to operate for long periods underwater, and is about 74 metres long, making it one of the largest submarines to enter service with the Israeli Navy. Three new Dakar-class submarines are scheduled to join the Israeli fleet in the future under a defence agreement between Israel and Germany.
The agreement aims to replace the older submarines and enhance the capabilities of the naval forces as part of a modernisation programme that includes expanding defensive and offensive operations and strengthening the undersea presence.
