Submarine en route to Israel from Germany

The Israeli Navy is adding a German-built submarine, INS Drakon, to its fleet, marking the completion of a project involving six submarines of this type for Israel.

The handover of the submarine coincides with the first test of the Israeli Lora missile by the German Navy, highlighting the close strategic cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

The delivery of German submarines to Israel is a significant aspect of German-Israeli defence cooperation, although it has faced criticism due to concerns about potential nuclear weapon retrofitting and Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Navy is set to add another German-built submarine to its fleet in a few days' time.

The INS Drakon, built by the German company TKMS, left the Kiel shipyard on Tuesday, passed through the Kiel Canal and is now en route to Israel, according to the manufacturer.

It is the last of six submarines of this type built for Israel. It is 68 metres long and equipped with ten torpedo tubes.

Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor pointed out that the handover is taking place at the same time as the first test of the Israeli Lora missile by the German Navy.

"This is no coincidence, but the result of close strategic cooperation and a partnership that has grown over the years," he told dpa. "We stand shoulder to shoulder as equal partners and tackle the challenges that affect us both together."

A German Navy frigate had previously successfully completed a test in the North Atlantic - kept secret until the very last moment - of the Israeli Lora missile system, which has a range of more than 500 kilometres. Plans to procure the weapons are now set to move forward.

The delivery of German submarines to Israel is a key project in German-Israeli defence cooperation and has been under way for many years.

However, the export is also controversial because, according to experts, the submarines could be retrofitted with nuclear weapons. Furthermore, German arms exports to Israel are generally subject to criticism due to the Israeli army's actions in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military said the submarine was on its way to the northern Israeli coastal city of Haifa. Prosor was joined by the German Naval Inspector, Jan Christian Kaack, at a farewell ceremony in Kiel.