Crews typically consist of 35–50 sailors, including officers, engineers, sonar operators, navigators, and tactical specialists.

By Hezy Laing

Life aboard an Israeli Navy submarine—primarily the Dolphin‑class and Dolphin II‑class vessels—is one of the most demanding and secretive assignments in the Israel Defense Forces.

Crews typically consist of 35–50 sailors, including officers, engineers, sonar operators, navigators, and tactical specialists.

Their missions can last several days to several weeks, during which the submarine remains submerged for extended periods, relying on advanced air‑independent propulsion systems that allow near‑silent operation.

A typical day begins with a tightly structured rotation.

Submariners work in six‑hour shifts, known as “watches,” ensuring that navigation, engineering, sonar, and command stations are always fully manned.

Sleep is taken in narrow bunks stacked three high, with space so limited that many sailors share “hot beds”—rotating into the same bunk as another crew member finishes a shift.

Meals are a surprisingly important part of morale.

Submarine kitchens, though tiny, are known for serving some of the best food in the IDF.

Crews eat together in a compact mess hall, where meals also serve as brief social breaks from the intense operational tempo.

One of the most critical tasks aboard is sonar monitoring.

Operators sit in a darkened room surrounded by screens and acoustic equipment, analyzing faint underwater signatures.

They train for years to distinguish between merchant ships, marine life, and foreign naval vessels.

Navigation teams simultaneously track depth, currents, and underwater terrain, using both digital mapping and traditional naval charts.

Engineers maintain the submarine’s propulsion, electrical systems, oxygen generation, and water purification.

Even minor malfunctions must be addressed immediately; at depths that can exceed 200 meters, redundancy and precision are essential.

Training is constant. Crews rehearse emergency drills—fire, flooding, system failure—several times a day. Psychological resilience is equally important.

With no windows, limited personal space, and continuous operational pressure, submariners undergo rigorous screening before joining the fleet.

Despite the secrecy surrounding their missions, IDF submariners are known for their professionalism, technical mastery, and ability to operate undetected across vast distances.

Their daily routine—disciplined, repetitive, and intensely focused—forms the backbone of one of Israel’s most strategic and least visible military capabilities.

Here are six typical operational tasks of an Israeli Navy submarine:

1. Long‑Range Intelligence Gathering
   IDF submarines routinely conduct covert intelligence missions across the Mediterranean and beyond. Using advanced sonar, electronic listening systems, and periscope‑mounted sensors, crews collect acoustic, visual, and electronic information on naval movements, coastal activity, and regional military developments. These missions can last days or weeks and require the submarine to remain silent and undetected.

2. Covert Surveillance Near Hostile Shores
   One of the most important roles of the Dolphin‑class fleet is quiet, persistent surveillance near areas of strategic interest. Submarines can monitor shipping lanes, track foreign naval vessels, and observe coastal infrastructure — all while remaining invisible beneath the surface.

3. Special Operations Support
   Israeli submarines are known to support Shayetet 13, the IDF’s elite naval commando unit. This includes covert insertion and extraction of divers, underwater delivery of equipment, and serving as a mobile base for reconnaissance teams. These operations require precise navigation and absolute stealth.

4. Maritime Deterrence Patrols
   Submarines conduct routine patrols to maintain Israel’s strategic deterrence posture. While details are classified, these missions ensure that Israel maintains a survivable second‑strike capability and a constant naval presence in key maritime zones.

5. Anti‑Submarine and Anti‑Ship Monitoring
   Although not primarily offensive in nature, IDF submarines track foreign submarines and surface vessels operating in the region. Their advanced sonar suites allow them to map underwater activity, identify potential threats, and relay information to the Israeli Navy’s surface fleet and Air Force.

6. Training, Drills, and Emergency Readiness
   Every patrol includes rigorous internal drills: fire suppression, flooding response, system failures, medical emergencies, and rapid‑dive procedures. Crews also practice silent running, periscope operations, navigation in shallow waters, and coordination with naval command. These drills maintain readiness for real‑world contingencies.