Image source: topwar.ru
The newest Israeli submarine INS Drakon was launched in Kiel, Germany, where it is being built by order of the fleet. The submarine belongs to the Dolphin-2 project, two representatives of which already serve in the Navy, but seriously differs from their predecessors.
As noted in the publication Naval News, Drakon is bigger and much longer. A sail of impressive size catches the eye, into which, probably, new, larger missiles can be loaded to shoot them from a vertical launcher.
According to the author, in the past, the placement of the VPU in the sail has already been practiced: in Soviet project 629 and Project 658 submarines (NATO classification – Golf and Hotel), the upper parts of the missile silos were placed in the cabin fence. Recently, North Korea has resorted to this design to install dimensional missiles on smaller submarines.
Image source: topwar.ru
As indicated in the publication, the Israeli Drakon can accommodate two large missile silos or, more likely, 4-8 smaller mines. At the same time, it is assumed that the overall sail can be used for other purposes, for example, not missiles will be placed here, but a room for special forces or a hangar for marine drones.
At the same time, Drakon has 4 torpedo tubes in the bow, the diameter of which is larger than the usual 533-mm TA. It is assumed that they are intended for cruise missiles developed by Israel, including those with nuclear stuffing.
- it is said in the publication Naval News.