The Israeli Ministry of Defense, a Elbit Systems and the German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) officially inaugurated the new production line for the production of submarine structural elements.
The initiative is part of the industrial compensation agreement between the two countries.
The new company is based in the Bar-Lev industrial zone in Karmiel, northern Israel, and specializes in the production of underwater components made of polyester fiberglass — a material widely used in naval applications due to its structural strength, low weight and proven durability in harsh marine environments.
Strategic Industrial Offset Agreement
The project is part of commitments made by TKMS when it signed a major contract to supply Israel with next-generation submarines and modern missile-equipped corvettes. As part of the agreement, the Israeli defense industry will receive German technology and manufacturing know-how, thereby strengthening its own industrial defense base.
According to information published by Elbit Systems, Israeli specialists are using technological solutions adopted from German partners to develop advanced local production capacities.
Dakar-class submarines: billion euro contract
Israel has a long-term strategic cooperation with TKMS in the field of submarines. The German company is currently building a new generation of Dakar-type submarines, which were delivered to Israel in the late 1990s. Dolphin class their first series is replaced.
The contract worth around 3 billion euros provides for the construction of three modern submarines. Production of the first unit of the Dakar class began at the end of 2024, delivery is expected to take place around 2031.
The new submarines will be uniquely designed to meet the operational needs of the Israeli Navy. One of the main technological innovations is the diesel-electric propulsion system with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), which significantly increases underwater range and operational stealth.
The industrial cooperation between Israel and Germany not only strengthens bilateral strategic relations, but also promotes the consolidation of local industrial capacities in the highly complex naval industry.
Source and images: TKMS | Elbit Systems. This content is generated with the help of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editors.
