Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raises the national flag on the deck of INS Tanin, a Dolphin AIP class submarine, at a naval base in the northern city of Haifa, September 23, 2014. Tanin is the fourth submarine Israel has acquired, and is the first of three German-built Dolphin AIP class vessels ordered by Israel, an Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson said on Tuesday. UPI/Amir Cohen/Pool | License Photo

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony upon the arrival of INS Tanin, a Dolphin AIP class submarine, at a naval base in the northern city of Haifa September 23, 2014. Tanin is the fourth submarine Israel has acquired, and is the first of three German-built Dolphin AIP class vessels ordered by Israel, an Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson said on Tuesday. UPI/Amir Cohen/Pool | License Photo

An Israeli naval officer stands on the pier at a naval base in the northern city of Haifa as INS Tanin, a Dolphin AIP class submarine, docks after its arrival in Israel, September 23, 2014. Tanin is the fourth submarine Israel has acquired, and is the first of three German-built Dolphin AIP class vessels ordered by Israel, an Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson said on Tuesday. UPI/Amir Cohen/Pool | License Photo

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C), military chief Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz (2nd L) and Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon (2nd R) attend a ceremony upon the arrival of INS Tanin, a Dolphin AIP class submarine, at a naval base in the northern city of Haifa September 23, 2014. UPI/Amir Cohen/Pool | License Photo

TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted the arrival Tuesday of Israel's newest addition to its naval fleet: the INS Tanin submarine.

At the ceremony Tuesday, Netanyahu observed that "This event sends a crystal clear message to our enemies -- the State of Israel is determined to face any threat, any challenge, any time."


"In the face of mounting threats, we will firmly defend our borders on land with fences, in the air with domes, and at sea with submarines."

The INS Tanin submarine is the fourth of six Dolphin-class submarines Israel ordered from German shipbuilder Howaldtswerke Deeutsche Werk, and the first with an upgraded design.

Upgrades include improved air-independent propulsion, and more modern sensors, combat systems and weapons.

A fifth submarine, the INS Rahav, is expected to be delivered in six to seven months.