Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and navy commanders at the Ashdod Naval Base. Arguing that maritime areas, ports and maritime traffic were under threat, Netanyahu announced that they would acquire more submarines, ships and naval vessels.
Israel Army Radio claimed that Israel had been advised to increase its fleet from 6 to 8 submarines in response to Turkey’s plan to expand its submarine fleet from 14 to 18.
Why it matters
This development shows that Israel views maritime security not merely as an operational issue in response to existing threats, but as a long-term defense priority requiring an increase in fleet capacity. The inclusion of plans regarding Turkey’s submarine fleet in assessments in Israel indicates that the naval capabilities of the two countries are not being monitored independently of one another. The issue is also significant for security institutions tracking risks linked to maritime areas, ports and maritime traffic, as well as for those monitoring the development of naval forces in the region. However, it has not been disclosed whether the increase in the number of submarines under discussion in Israel has been finalized, on what timetable it would be implemented, or what the scope of the purchases of other ships and naval vessels would be.
Background
Israel is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 13 reports mentioning it in the past 90 days; the latest was dated 2 October 2026.