Poland to buy stealth submarines from Sweden to counter Russia
Photo: Swedish Gotland-class submarine (Saab)
Poland is officially signing a major contract for the purchase of new Swedish-made submarines. The country's navy will receive modern submarines to strengthen defense in the Baltic Sea, according to Polskie Radio.
The contract for the first three vessels is estimated at 20 billion zlotys, and the submarine itself is the main stage of the ambitious Orka modernisation program. The document will be signed directly on board the frigate ORP Kościuszko today, June 29.
The supplier will be the Swedish defense giant Saab, and the first submarine will arrive in Poland in 2030. However, the sailors will begin training much earlier. For this purpose, Sweden will transfer a special training vessel, referred to as a gap filler. This is an older model for training future crews. Polish submariners will have to master the complex A26 systems before they arrive.
What is known about the A26 submarines
These are the latest Swedish fifth-generation conventional attack submarines, developed by the shipbuilding company Saab Kockums. The submarines are specifically designed for covert operations in shallow coastal waters and the challenging conditions of the Baltic Sea.
Key features and technologies:
- Exceptional stealth: The hull is designed to absorb and dissipate hydroacoustic waves, making the submarine virtually invisible to enemy radars and sonars.
- Stirling engine: The air-independent propulsion (AIP) system allows the submarine to remain submerged continuously for up to 18 days without surfacing to recharge its batteries.
- Multi-purpose portal: A special bow lock-out chamber with a diameter of 1.5 meters allows for the covert deployment and recovery of reconnaissance divers, as well as underwater and aerial drones.
- Network-centric management: Full integration of the ship's IT systems into NATO's common digital data exchange network.
Warsaw and Stockholm renewed their strategic partnership in November 2024 for maritime deterrence against Russian aggression. Today's agreement solidifies this defense alliance, the report states.
What else is known about the modernisation of the Polish army
Canada will begin rearming Poland as part of its independence from the US. The subject of the agreement is Canadian-made tactical radio stations.
Earlier, it was reported that London and Warsaw are preparing to sign a new security agreement. The agreement provides for the expansion of military cooperation, the development of air defense systems, and joint counteraction to cyberattacks.
Meanwhile, Polish civilians are not ready for war. According to polls, the majority do not even know where the nearest bomb shelter is, and 47% are not ready to mobilise into the ranks of the country's army.
