In the context of the recent launch ceremony of the last Dolphin II-class submarine for the Israeli Navy, the German shipyard Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has announced the beginning of construction on the first of the new Dakar-class submarines, which is planned as a replacement for the fleet of three Dolphin I-class submarines. This new type of submarine has been specially adapted to meet the requirements of the Israeli Navy, with a focus on special forces deployment and enhanced missile attack capabilities.
Regarding this, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems CEO Oliver Burkhard stated: “We share a long-standing relationship with Israel based on trust and mutual respect. The launch of the INS DRAKON and the start of production of the first DAKAR-class submarine are important milestones that underscore our commitment to delivering submarines that set new global technical standards.”
It is worth noting that the contract for the new Dakar-class was signed in January 2022 between the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the German shipyard TKMS. This marks a further step in the long-standing cooperation between the Israeli Navy and TKMS, which also developed the modern SA’AR-6 project corvettes, as well as the six vessels that make up the Dolphin I and II classes, with the last of these, INS Drakon, launched during the recent ceremony.
In response to the new requirements of the Israeli Navy, there has been speculation that these submarines might be equipped with a Vertical Launch System (VLS) capable of deploying cruise missiles with nuclear warheads, thereby strengthening Israel’s nuclear deterrence in an increasingly tense geopolitical environment. Additionally, various analysts suggest that the new Dakar-class design may feature a significantly longer sail relative to the rest of the hull, hinting that the missiles might be housed there. Finally, according to the illustrative images of the submarine, it appears to have a larger rudder compared to the current Dolphin class, reminiscent of the Type 216 design from the same manufacturer.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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