Israeli Prime Minister “Benjamin Netanyahu” announced that Israel would strengthen its naval capabilities by acquiring more submarines, ships, and other combat assets, stressing that his country seeks to become one of the world’s leading countries in naval and undersea warfare.
During a visit to the naval base in Ashdod yesterday, Sunday, accompanied by Defense Minister “Israel Katz,” Netanyahu explained that the heads of the security agencies had informed him of the need for additional naval capabilities. He added that the sixth submarine had already arrived in Israel, while the security establishment was requesting more submarines, ships, and other unspecified capabilities, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
Netanyahu said that the maritime domain had become an “international battlefield,” pointing to the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. He added that those he described as “Israel’s enemies” were seeking to threaten Israel’s maritime domain in the Mediterranean, as well as its ports and maritime traffic, stressing that his country would work to protect its security from the sea while strengthening its offensive and defensive capabilities in the maritime and undersea domains.
During the visit, Netanyahu and Katz received a briefing from the commander of the Navy and the commander of the Ashdod Base on the challenges facing the maritime arena and the activities of forces in the southern region, including ongoing security units and naval landing units. They also viewed a display of combat assets used by naval forces to address threats in defensive and offensive missions, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
Netanyahu’s statements came after the “Drakon” submarine arrived in Israel from Germany last September, becoming the sixth submarine in the Israeli submarine fleet, as part of an ongoing program to develop naval capabilities.
The “Drakon” belongs to the latest generation of Israeli submarines, while Tel Aviv continues to develop additional “Dakar”-class submarines as part of a plan to modernize its naval fleet and enhance its long-range capabilities.
The “Drakon” is the first Israeli “Dolphin 2”-class submarine to be built in Germany in more than a decade. It was designed to operate for extended periods underwater and provide advanced capabilities. It is approximately 74 meters long and is classified among the largest submarines to have entered service with the Israeli Navy.
Three new “Dakar”-class submarines are expected to join the Israeli fleet in the future under a defense agreement between Israel and Germany, with the aim of replacing older submarines and strengthening the capabilities of the Navy.
United News Network – UNN Arabic
An independent media platform that provides reliable news and objective analysis, and seeks to promote peace and cultural dialogue around the world, to convey the truth and build bridges of understanding among peoples.
For more news, visit our homepage:
Author: Counselor Faisal Al-Mutairi.
Publication Date: October 5, 2026.
Updated: October 2026.
