HAIFA  (VINnews) — The Israeli Navy is scheduled to formally receive its sixth submarine, INS Drakon, at a ceremony Thursday at the Haifa Naval Base, completing a multiyear German-built Dolphin 2-class program as the service pushes to enlarge its fleet.

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The vessel, whose name means “Dragon,” arrived after a roughly monthlong voyage of about 3,792 nautical miles from the Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems shipyard in Kiel, Germany. Officials said planning, construction and testing spanned about 12 years.​

Navy officials said delivery was delayed several months after Denmark and Norway blocked contractor testing in their deep waters. Trials instead took place farther out in the North Sea, in international waters.​

At about 74 meters long and 2,600 tons, Drakon is the largest and heaviest submarine in Israeli service. Israeli systems are expected to be installed over two to three months, with operational status coming later.​

The arrival coincides with a broader naval buildup. Officials say other Mediterranean states — both partners and rivals — field larger fleets, and recent attacks and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb have underscored threats to shipping. Commanders warn similar pressure could emerge in the Mediterranean.​

In the next three to four years, the Navy is slated to take delivery of the first of five Reshef-class corvettes. Those ships are meant to replace the two oldest Sa’ar 4.5 missile boats after four decades in service, effectively increasing the number of small missile boats rather than simply swapping hulls one-for-one.​

Drakon is the third Dolphin-class boat with air-independent propulsion, allowing longer submerged operations. With its arrival, Israel will operate six submarines. Defense officials have separately recommended growing the submarine force further in coming years.​

The Navy has said the new boat, together with future Dakar-class submarines still on order from Germany, will form a core of the underwater flotilla for the next generation.