South Korea has reportedly proposed transferring the decommissioned ROKS Jang Bogo, an HDW Type 209 submarine, to Poland at no cost, post-retirement.
The proposal, if materialised, is anticipated to address Poland’s “immediate capability shortfalls”, GlobalData aerospace and defence analyst Abhijit Apsingikar said.
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This follows Poland’s selection of the Swedish A26 submarine for the Orka programme, a competition in which South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean was also a contender.
Earlier in November 2025, the South Korean Navy announced that the ROKS Jang Bogo submarine will be retiring at the end of this year, reported Yonhap News Agency. ROKS Jang Bogo is the first naval submarine of South Korea and has been in service for 34 years.
According to Abhijit Apsingikar, the transfer could assist Poland in restructuring its crew training and facilitate the shift from Kilo-class submarines to Western submarine technology standards.
“This, in turn, will enable Polish crews to swiftly adapt to the new A26 submarines when they enter service in the future,” he said.
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By GlobalDataGlobalData’s Global Submarine Market Forecast 2025-2035 estimates the value of Poland’s submarine market at approximately $2.4bn.
Under the Orka-class programme, Poland plans to acquire four submarines.
South Korea has established significant defence trade with Poland. In 2022, South Korean defence exports to Poland exceeded $10bn, with cumulative deals estimated between $13bn and $14bn to date.
Poland has signed several major contracts with South Korean defence firms including agreements for 180 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks, 48 FA-50 jet trainers, 212 K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), and 212 K9 self-propelled howitzers, with an additional 162 K9 units announced.
The Polish Krab self-propelled howitzer also utilises the South Korean K9 chassis, and a licensing agreement allows domestic production of the K9A1 variant.
The proposed transfer of the Jang Bogo submarine is positioned to further consolidate South Korea’s presence in this market.
“If realised, the transfer is therefore also expected to pave the way for expanded future acquisitions of South Korean defence equipment by Poland and to support follow-on orders. The move also demonstrates South Korea’s intent to go the extra mile to empower its allies and strategic partners, especially at a time when Poland expressed concerns about possible spillover of the Russia-Ukraine conflict at its borders,” Abhijit Apsingikar added.
