Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, at the INS ‘Drakon’ Submarine Acceptance Ceremony:
President of the State, Mr. Isaac Herzog, Minister of Defense, Mr. Israel Katz, CEO of TKMS, Mr. Oliver Burkhardt, Mayor of Haifa, Mr. Yona Yahav, CEOs of Industries, Chairman of the IDF Workers’ Organization, Meir Ben Harush, Representatives of the Ministry of Defense, Commander of the Navy, Maj. Gen. Eyal Harel, Former Commanders of the Navy, Commanders, Fighters, Distinguished Guests All.
In the midst of the War of Independence, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion arrived in Haifa to visit what he called in his diary: “Our young navy.” Before his eyes stood a naval force at the dawn of its construction. The young Navy, even then, took upon itself the responsibility to defend the country’s shores, ensure its sea lanes, and establish its sovereignty in the maritime arena.
Imagine how Ben-Gurion would react today standing before this engineering marvel beside me, with its operational and technological capabilities; how he would react to the political context of the connection between Germany and the State of Israel, and with what pride he would be filled at the strategic importance of our Navy’s strength and the sight of the naval fighters, men and women, dressed in their white uniforms.
The ceremony we are holding today takes place in the midst of a prolonged, complex, challenging, and multi-arena war. In a few days, it will be three years old, during which the IDF has carried out historic operations that have fundamentally changed the security reality of the State of Israel – from defense to offense, and from the failure of October 7th to a multi-arena victory.
We acted with determination, precision, and unprecedented power, fighting in multiple arenas simultaneously, on nearby borders and at distant targets, severely damaging our enemies’ capabilities and removing existential threats that had been built against us for years. The achievements led by the IDF are unprecedented; the neutralization of senior figures who had set the goal of destroying the Jewish state, the strengthening of our defensive posture, our deterrence capability, the number of targets, enemy areas from which they planned to invade our territory – have been conquered and cleared.
The military operations on the front and in depth – all these are absolute and vital achievements for our future that will be studied in history books. We have severely damaged our enemies’ capabilities, but their malevolent intentions have not changed. We are alert and prepared, and will continue to operate in all arenas, according to operational needs, to thwart any threat and strive for decision and victory.
Even in these days, our eyes are open to what is happening in Iran and its proxies – the Iranian regime is wounded and battered but has not learned to change its intentions, holding its people hostage, illegally blocking international shipping lanes, and damaging energy and national infrastructure of countries across the Middle East.
We reached the achievements of the campaign through the realization of the principle of inter-service “synergy” and the synchronization of all IDF capabilities, which worked together and complemented each other against every threat. Within this multi-service effort, the crucial contribution of the Navy was sharpened. Throughout the days of fighting, the Navy defended the country’s borders and carried out complex missions, openly and covertly. Since the failure of October 7th, the Navy’s fighters and commanders have proven time and again that the sea is a strategic, offensive, and decisive depth and operational space that directly influences the outcome of the campaign.
Alongside the use of force in war, we continue to build the IDF’s strength for the coming years. As part of the “Choshen” multi-year plan, we are adapting the IDF and the Navy for multi-arena and multi-dimensional warfare, enhancing intelligence and attack capabilities, and integrating advanced technological systems in all operational arenas.
In the face of the increasing scope of threats, ongoing and multi-arena conflicts, and the regional and global arms race, it is our duty to expand the IDF’s forces, equip ourselves with advanced and innovative platforms, and adapt it to the era of developing military systems that will allow us to maintain our qualitative advantage, even in the future.
In today’s era, we must be innovative and surprising not only in the use of force, but also in its construction. It is said – “In war, victory goes to he who uses time to his advantage” – and this is also true for the saying: “In war, victory goes to he who, between wars, uses time to properly build his strength to his advantage.” Today, we are implementing this principle: the absorption of the INS ‘Drakon’ submarine into the Navy is one of the IDF’s central armament moves.
14 years of development and innovation dedicated to the needs of the IDF and the Navy culminate today in a moment where vision becomes operational reality. With the absorption of the submarine, the Navy achieves an improved maritime posture and new heights in its capabilities and operational power: more covert, further, deeper, and more lethal. This is the realization of a vital component in directing the building of naval power and transforming it into an additional long-range strategic arm for the IDF.
Even when I was Director General of the Ministry of Defense, I was closely exposed to the depth and uniqueness of the security relationship between Israel and Germany – a relationship that over the years has become a strategic anchor in the security of both countries. The “Arrow” project for Germany, which I had the privilege of signing in Berlin, is a clear expression of this: technology developed in the land of the Jewish people, now protects Germany’s skies, and INS ‘Drakon’, joining the Israeli fleet today, is a product of knowledge, trust, and joint work, which will strengthen Israel’s ability to defend itself for many years to come.
Our partners from the German defense establishment, representatives of the shipyard and its personnel: At a time when the State of Israel is fighting a prolonged and multi-arena campaign, after being brutally attacked, your standing by our side and your mutual commitment to the security of our countries have special significance. This is a long-standing partnership, which I believe will expand further in the future. Special thanks to you, Oliver, for choosing to be here with us today. Your presence here today is another expression of our partnership, and we appreciate it greatly.
Distinguished guests, tomorrow evening we will celebrate the Sukkot holiday, which reminds us of the formative journey of the people of Israel from slavery to freedom. From the Sukkot in the desert, we reached a permanent dwelling and a homeland in the Land of Israel; after thousands of years of exile, we returned to it, established a sovereign state, and built a powerful and qualitative defense force that bears responsibility for our security and our future.
From “Our young navy” that Ben-Gurion wrote about to the absorption of Israel’s advanced submarine, we have paved our way; the way of a nation that has taken its destiny into its own hands and is ready to defend its home on every front.
Commander of the Navy, commanders and personnel of the service – the construction and absorption of a submarine is a unique project of its kind – an effort you have led for many long years. This technological marvel is a rare combination of engineering and technological vision and an operational concept that few in the world possess. This occasion is made possible, first and foremost, by the human capability of knowledge centers, engineering and technological experts driven by a sense of mission and creativity.
Now, the State of Israel and the IDF entrust it to you as an essential component in integrating our capabilities in the air, on land, in space, at sea, and in the deep sea, to fortify our security for generations. Fighters of Flotilla 7 and the INS Drakon crew – you have earned a unique service that few in the world can achieve – you are a quality and special breed, operating in the deep sea on covert and unknown missions. Your strong character, intelligence, determination, and teamwork capabilities distinguish you. Together, you will write the next chapter in ensuring the eternity of the people of Israel and the security of the citizens of the state.
I am proud of you, the people of Israel are proud and trust you. I am confident that you will stand up to any mission assigned to you and will lead INS ‘Drakon’ with professionalism, quiet, and safety. I entrust the responsibility for the submarine to you – stand guard over the homeland and the safe harbor. Go forth and succeed.
