In 2017, Israel and Germany signed a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) to acquire three new submarines, as part of the
Dolphin class, at a cost of
USD $1.5 billion. According to the deal, Germany agreed to subsidize up to 30% of the submarine's hull, mechanical and electrical costs. In 2018, the Israeli Navy announced that the three future submarines were to be classified as the
Dakar class, in honor of (
Hebrew: אח"י דקר) - an ex-
Royal Navy T-class submarine purchased by the Israeli Navy, which mysteriously sunk while being transferred to Israel in 1968. The three designated submarines are poised to replace the first batch of three
Dolphin-class submarines, which were built in Germany and commissioned between 1999 and 2000. The deal also included the creation of a training simulator in Israel, and the supply of spare parts. Reportedly,
ThyssenKrupp invested €250 million into TKMS in 2019, in anticipation of the order - developing a new shipyard in Kiel to operate as a new centre of competence for submarine manufacturing capabilities, as well as the construction of a new shipbuilding hall and fuel-cell production site. The deal for the three submarines - which was originally estimated to cost around €1.8 billion, has increased by a margin of €1.2 billion, to a total of €3 billion; the increase in the price is yet to be officially clarified. The German government, which agreed to subsidize €600 million into the deal, out of the original price of €1.8 billion, asserted that it would not raise its subsidy in proportion with the increase in price; as a result, the net cost to Israel will thus be twice as high, at €2.4 billion. However, the Ministry of Defense had approved the procurement of the three submarines at the inflated price, without the public or the
Knesset - Israel's parliament, being notified. The construction of the first ship started in November 2024, which will not be named
Dakar. ==Boats in class==