Investigations suggest possible Russian search for a submarine near Kiel.
Last week, two Russian spy ships sailed past Kiel. As per a report, the cause might be a newly tested submarine from the Israeli Navy, the "INS Drakon." Navalnews, a site that focuses on marine-related topics, suggests that this submarine, constructed at the ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) shipyard in Kiel, could be undergoing its initial secret trials. pictures of the submarine emerged online towards the end of May and early June, hinting at an imminent departure.
Midway through the previous week, the "Kieler Nachrichten" reported the arrival of the Russian reconnaissance ship "Wassili Tatischtschew" on the Kiel-Baltic Sea Canal between Fehmarn and the Kiel Lighthouse. Navalnews also reported that the Russian research ship "Sibirjakow" was nearby from the 13th to the 17th of June. This ship gathers weather data and has specialized gear on board to detect submarine acoustic signals. According to the report, the "Sibirjakow" typically accompanies Russian submarine trials. However, its deployment west of Denmark and near Kiel is atypical and does not follow the usual routes.
The "INS Drakon" is the largest submarine in the Israeli Dolphin Class and was launched from the keel in the previous August. Information about the submarine's specifications and weaponry is confidential, as are the mandatory test runs. Experts believe that the "INS Drakon" is capable of launching nuclear-tipped missiles.
During the trials of new submarines, Navalnews warns that the chance of spying is usually high. Often, reconnaissance ships from other navies attempt to record the sounds of the new underwater vehicle and create a sound catalog to detect submarines of this kind more easily in the future. During tests, tracking becomes simpler, as these often occur near the docks.
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- Amidst the speculations about the Russian submarine search, Israel has been cautious, ensuring that the "INS Drakon" is securely moored at its keel in the Kiel shipyard, to prevent any potential espionage attempts.
- The unusual presence of the Russian research ship "Sibirjakow" near Kiel, known for its ability to detect submarine acoustic signals, has raised concerns among Israeli naval intelligence, as it could be attempting to gather information on the "INS Drakon" during its secret trials.
- Russia's interest in the "INS Drakon," a submarine equipped with advanced capabilities and capable of launching nuclear-tipped missiles, has highlighted the strategic significance of submarine espionage in contemporary naval warfare, with nations like Israel taking extra measures to protect their submarine technology from foreign surveillance.
