Poland signs deal for three Swedish A26 submarines

Poland has signed a contract to purchase three modern A26-type submarines under its Orka program during Polish-Swedish intergovernmental consultations held in Gdynia.

According to RMF24, the agreement was signed in the presence of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

The contract covers the delivery of three Blekinge-class submarines built by Saab Kockums, along with logistical support, maintenance, crew training, and preparation of necessary infrastructure.

The submarines will be equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system featuring air-independent propulsion (AIP), allowing them to remain submerged for extended periods without surfacing.

The first submarine is expected to be handed over to the Polish Navy in 2030, with the remaining vessels delivered in subsequent years. The new vessels are intended to replace the ageing ORP Orzeł, currently the only submarine in Poland’s naval fleet.

Preliminary estimates put the total cost of the Orka program at around 20 billion złoty (approximately $5.32 billion).

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz had announced the upcoming conclusion of the contract.

By Jeyhun Aghazada