Poland Buys Three Swedish A26 Submarines in €4.5 Billion Deal

Poland has finalized a significant defense agreement, signing a contract worth approximately 4.5 billion euros with Swedish company Saab for the acquisition of three A26 submarines. This deal is a cornerstone of Poland's Orka naval modernization program, aiming to bolster its maritime defense capabilities.

The contract, signed on June 29 aboard the ORP Kościuszko in Gdynia port, extends beyond a simple procurement. It encompasses substantial industrial cooperation, with Saab committing to investments in Poland and integrating Polish industry into the submarine production process. In a reciprocal move, Sweden will acquire the Polish rescue vessel Ratownik, signifying a deepening bilateral defense relationship.

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The understanding goes beyond the mere acquisition of submarines and includes investments by Saab in Poland, the involvement of Polish industry in the production process, and the acquisition by Sweden of the Polish rescue ship Ratownik.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted the agreement's comprehensive nature, emphasizing the industrial and cooperative elements. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz described the signing as the culmination of the Orka program, a project that has faced delays for nearly three decades. He noted that the A26 submarines represent state-of-the-art naval platforms, designed for special missions and integration with unmanned systems.

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The A26 submarines represent some of the most modern naval platforms available and are designed for special missions and operating alongside unmanned systems.

To ensure operational readiness, Sweden will provide Poland with an A17-class submarine for crew training starting in 2027, with sailor training commencing in the coming months. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, present at the ceremony, remarked on the unprecedented closeness of Swedish-Polish relations, noting the largest Swedish government delegation in the history of their bilateral ties.

This submarine acquisition is part of Poland's broader military modernization efforts, reflecting Warsaw's commitment to acquiring advanced defense systems. The move also occurs within a context of heightened NATO activity in the Baltic Sea, focused on protecting critical infrastructure and monitoring Russian military movements amid ongoing European security concerns.

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Relations between Sweden and Poland are currently 'closer than ever before'.