Poland advances Orka submarine programme with Sweden partnership

On December 17, 2025, in Warsaw, Poland and Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation under Poland’s Orka submarine programme. 

The document was signed by Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Sweden’s Minister of Defence Pål Jonson, per foreign media.

The MoU establishes the framework for long-term military, technological, and industrial cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and goes well beyond a standard procurement agreement.

Following the signing, Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that the deal is not limited to replacing Poland’s submarine fleet:

“What we are talking about is also an exchange of technological thought, technology transfer and equipment. This is not merely a change in the face of the Navy. It is about building a new security architecture in the Baltic Sea.”

The agreement follows Poland’s November 26, 2025, decision to select the Swedish offer as the preferred option under the Orka programme. Sweden proposed three next-generation A26 submarines, with delivery of the first unit by 2030, alongside an interim “gap-filler” solution in the form of a leased A17-class submarine. Training of Polish crews is scheduled to begin in 2026, with handover of the interim submarine planned for 2027.

The MoU outlines the core parameters of the future contract, including submarine numbers, delivery schedules, and the scope of acquisition. Procurement will cover not only the A26 platforms, but also dedicated weapon systems, logistics support, and full life-cycle sustainment.

A central element of the agreement is extensive technology transfer and deep involvement of the Polish defence industry. Sweden foresees investments in Polish shipyards and the development in Poland of maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities for submarines and their weapon systems throughout their entire service life. Sweden also plans to seek and utilise Polish technological solutions for its own armed forces.

Importantly, the MoU commits Sweden to integrating Polish defence companies into the production chain for weapons intended for the Swedish armed forces, enabling Polish components and subsystems to be used in Swedish defence platforms.

The submarine deal builds on existing Polish–Swedish defence cooperation, including Poland’s acquisition of Carl Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles, Saab 340 AEW aircraft, and Delfin electronic intelligence vessels. The MoU signals that the partnership has now entered a more advanced phase, encompassing undersea warfare, one of the most complex and sensitive military domains.

By Tamilla Hasanova