Poland Orders Swedish Submarines Amid Warnings of Naval Weakness

Poland has taken a significant step towards modernizing its naval capabilities by signing executive agreements to acquire three new A26-class submarines. These vessels, to be built by the Swedish firm Saab Kockums, are intended to replace the aging ORP Orzeł, currently the sole submarine in service with the Polish Navy.

However, the move has been met with caution from some military experts. Former commander of the GROM special unit, Gen. Roman Polko, expressed concern, stating that the Polish Navy is currently in a "deep collapse" and requires a fundamental rebuilding effort. He suggested that announcing such acquisitions as successes should only happen once the vessels are operational.

Gen. Polko also highlighted potential risks associated with the Swedish contract. He pointed to Sweden's own experience, where identical submarines ordered in 2015 faced delivery delays of nearly a decade and a doubling of costs. He expressed hope that Poland has factored these potential issues into the agreement and will ensure the timely delivery of modern, capable submarines.

The general further emphasized the need for other naval acquisitions, such as helicopters, and stressed the importance of defining the navy's specific needs. While acknowledging the Baltic Sea's status as an internal NATO sea with support from neighboring countries like Finland and Sweden, Polko argued against neglecting Poland's naval forces. He also commented on broader military modernization efforts since 1989, calling it a "revolution" but warning against obstacles like program blockages and the need for a current National Security Strategy, noting the existing one predates Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.