Poland to purchase three submarines from Sweden amid Russian threat
Photo: 5th-generation A26 Blekinge submarine (Saab)
Poland has announced that it will order three state-of-the-art submarines from the Swedish corporation Saab as part of a multi-billion-euro deal. The submarine order will be a key element in strengthening Poland’s presence in the Baltic Sea region, Reuters reports.
The submarine order comes amid rising tensions in the Baltic region and an increasing Russian threat. The program to strengthen the country’s naval underwater capabilities has been named Orka (Killer Whale).
"Sweden presented the best offer in terms of all criteria, delivery time, and operational capability, especially in the Baltic Sea," Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz commented at a press conference.
The deal is valued at approximately 10 billion zlotys (2.73 billion dollars). Sweden has also committed to purchasing Polish-made weaponry and, in addition, will provide a training submarine for the Polish Navy.
The type of submarine to be delivered to Poland — the A26 Blekinge — is one of the newest classes of vessels developed by Sweden. Initial deliveries are expected to begin in 2030, provided the contract is signed in the first quarter of 2026.
"This deal creates a common system for underwater operations in the Baltic Sea and strengthens interoperability between the Swedish and Polish navies," Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said.
Sweden may help Ukraine finance the deal for the delivery of 150 Swedish-made JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets. Several financing options are currently being considered.
It was also reported that the Danish company Terma, together with Ukraine’s Odd Systems, is working on an affordable air defense system designed to intercept enemy drones.
