New submarines and ships.. Netanyahu strengthens Israel's naval power

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will enhance its naval capabilities by acquiring more submarines, ships and other combat means, stressing that his country aims to be one of the world's leading countries in the field of naval and undersea warfare.

During a visit to the Navy base in Ashdod, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz, on Sunday, Netanyahu explained that the leaders of the security services informed him of the need for more naval means. He added that the sixth submarine has already arrived in Israel, while the security establishment is requesting more submarines, ships and other means that he did not specify, according to what was reported by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office website.

In addition, Netanyahu said that the maritime domain has turned into an “international battlefield,” referring to the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab.

The Israeli Prime Minister also added that those he described as "Israel's enemies" seek to threaten Israeli maritime space in the Mediterranean, ports, and shipping traffic. He stressed that his country will work to protect its security at sea, in addition to enhancing its offensive and defensive capabilities in the maritime and undersea fields.

During the visit, Netanyahu and Katz received a briefing from the Chief of Staff of the Navy and the Commander of the Ashdod Base regarding the challenges facing the naval arena, and the activity of forces in the southern region, including current security units and naval landing units.

They also watched a display of combat methods used by naval forces to deal with threats, whether in defense or attack missions, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

Netanyahu's statements came after the "Drakon" submarine arrived in Israel last September from Germany, becoming the sixth 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 work on developing additional "Dakar"-class submarines, as part of a broader plan to modernize its naval fleet and enhance its long-range capabilities.

The "Drakon" is also the first Israeli "Dolphin 2" submarine to be built in Germany in more than a decade, and is designed to provide advanced capabilities to operate for long periods under the sea. Its length is about 74 meters, and it is classified among the largest submarines that entered service in the Israeli Navy.

The three new Dakar-class submarines are scheduled to join the Israeli fleet in the future, as part of a defense agreement between Israel and Germany aimed at replacing older submarines and enhancing the capabilities of the Navy.