Swedish defence contractor Saab has finalised a Skr47bn ($4.8bn) contract with the Polish government to produce and deliver three A26-type submarines.
The contract, signed with the Polish State Treasury Armaments Agency, covers the submarines and an associated package of weapons, training, and support.
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According to Saab, the full value of the order is expected to be delivered through staggered construction and handover, with final deliveries set for completion in 2038.
The agreement additionally includes commitments from Saab to establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities within Poland, in conjunction with local industry partners.
Saab president and CEO Micael Johansson said: “We are deeply honoured that Poland has chosen Saab’s submarines to bolster its defence capabilities and strengthen the strategic partnership between our two nations.
“The three A26 submarines meet Poland’s current and future defence requirements and will play a pivotal role in enhancing security in the Baltic Sea region.”
Poland’s selection of Saab’s A26 Blekinge-class submarines for its Orka programme was first revealed in November of last year.
In December, Sweden and Poland signed a memorandum of understanding to further their cooperation on submarine acquisition.
Poland will temporarily operate the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland as a gap-filler, following a separate arrangement reached between the Polish and Swedish governments.
The A26 submarine, claimed to be world’s first 5th-generation submarine, is designed for the specific operational demands of the Baltic Sea and can remain undetected in varied maritime environments.
The vessel is constructed with features aimed at intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and is armed with long-range precision torpedoes. It has the capacity for potential integration with submarine-launched missile systems.
According to Saab, the A26 incorporates a ‘Multi-Mission Portal’ to allow deployment of underwater vehicles and systems for a range of naval missions, including seabed operations and support for special forces.
The new vessels are intended to replace the ORP Orzeł, a Kilo-class submarine of Soviet origin that currently serves as the only operational submarine in the Polish Navy.
