Poland signs $4.8B deal with Saab for three A26 submarines
On June 29, 2026, Poland signed a historic contract worth approximately $4.8 billion with Sweden's Saab for three A26 Blekinge-class submarines under the Orka program. The deal, finalized in Gdynia and attended by both nations' prime ministers, includes weapons, training, and support, with deliveries by 2038. It also establishes Saab's MRO capabilities in Poland and a temporary lease of HMS Södermanland for crew training. The submarines, equipped with stealth, drone-swarming, and Tomahawk missile capabilities, represent NATO's largest Baltic Sea undersea expansion since the Cold War.
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Saab finalises $4.8bn contract with Poland for three A26 submarines
Swedish defense contractor Saab has finalized a Skr47bn ($4.8bn) contract with the Polish government to produce and deliver three A26 Blekinge-class submarines. The agreement, signed with the Polish State Treasury Armaments Agency, includes weapons, training, and support packages. Deliveries will be staggered, with completion by 2038. Saab will establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities in Poland with local partners. The submarines are designed for Baltic Sea operations, featuring stealth capabilities, intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and a Multi-Mission Portal for deploying underwater vehicles. Poland selected Saab's A26 for its Orka program in November 2023. As a gap-filler, Poland will temporarily operate the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland. The new vessels will replace the Soviet-era Kilo-class submarine ORP Orzeł, Poland's only operational submarine.
Naval TechnologySaab finalises $4.8bn contract with Poland for three A26 submarines
Swedish defense contractor Saab has finalized a Skr47 billion ($4.8 billion) contract with Poland to produce and deliver three A26 Blekinge-class submarines. The deal, signed with the Polish State Treasury Armaments Agency, includes submarines, weapons, training, and support, with final deliveries scheduled for 2038. Saab will also establish maintenance and overhaul capabilities in Poland with local partners. The A26 is designed for Baltic Sea operations, featuring stealth, intelligence gathering, and multi-mission capabilities. Poland will temporarily operate the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland as a gap-filler. The new vessels will replace the Soviet-era Kilo-class submarine ORP Orzeł, currently Poland's only operational submarine. The selection was first revealed in November 2023, with a Sweden-Poland memorandum of understanding signed in December 2023.
Naval TechnologySaab finalises $4.8bn contract with Poland for three A26 submarines
Swedish defense contractor Saab has finalized a Skr47 billion ($4.8 billion) contract with Poland to produce and deliver three A26 Blekinge-class submarines. The agreement, signed with the Polish State Treasury Armaments Agency, includes weapons, training, and support packages. Deliveries are staggered, with completion expected by 2038. Saab will establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities in Poland with local partners. The A26 is described as the world's first 5th-generation submarine, designed for Baltic Sea operations, featuring intelligence gathering, surveillance, long-range torpedoes, and a Multi-Mission Portal for underwater vehicles. Poland will temporarily operate the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland as a gap-filler. The new vessels will replace the Soviet-era Kilo-class submarine ORP Orzeł, Poland's only operational submarine. The selection was first revealed in November 2024, with a subsequent Sweden-Poland memorandum of understanding in December.
Naval TechnologyPoland Signs $4.8B Deal with Saab for Three A26 Submarines
Poland signed a $4.83 billion contract with Sweden's Saab on June 29, 2026, for three A26 Blekinge-class submarines under its Orka program, marking NATO's largest Baltic Sea undersea capability expansion since the Cold War. The deal, concluded after seven months of tense negotiations threatened by industrial offset demands, includes a weapons package, training, and support, with final deliveries by 2038. Poland will borrow HMS Södermanland for crew training. The A26 is marketed as the world's first fifth-generation submarine, featuring Stirling-cycle air-independent propulsion for over 18 days of submerged endurance, and can be fitted with Tomahawk missile VLS cells. The contract resolved disputes where Poland demanded Swedish purchase of a rescue vessel and technology transfer, with the alternative being negotiations with Italy's Fincantieri and South Korea's Hanwha Ocean.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsPoland awards $4.8 billion A26 submarine deal to Saab
Poland's Ministry of National Defence has signed a contract with Sweden's Saab to acquire three fifth-generation A26-type submarines for the Polish Navy, valued at approximately SEK 47 billion ($4.8 billion), with deliveries scheduled for completion by 2038. The deal, signed in Gdynia on June 29 in the presence of Polish and Swedish prime ministers and defense ministers, includes Saab's commitment to develop maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities in Poland. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated the submarines will be capable of deploying drone swarms to protect critical infrastructure and the Baltic Sea shoreline. Separately, Poland aims to urgently acquire the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland as a 'gap filler' for Baltic Sea operations and to train sailors. The contract is part of a broader modernization effort for the traditionally underinvested Polish Navy, which recently also awarded a drone deal to Shield AI.
Defense NewsPoland awards $4.8 billion A26 submarine deal to Saab
Poland's Ministry of National Defence signed a contract with Sweden's Saab on June 29, 2026, in Gdynia to purchase three A26-type submarines for approximately $4.8 billion, with deliveries scheduled by 2038. The deal includes Saab developing maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities in Poland. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated the submarines, described as fifth-generation and designed for the Baltic Sea, will carry drone swarms to protect national critical infrastructure and shorelines. Separately, Poland is urgently acquiring the Swedish HMS Södermanland submarine as a gap filler to train sailors for Baltic Sea operations. The procurement is part of a broader effort to modernize Poland's navy, historically the most underinvested military branch, following a recent deal with Shield AI for V-BAT drones.
Defense NewsPoland awards $4.8 billion A26 submarine deal to Saab
Poland's Ministry of National Defence has signed a $4.8 billion contract with Sweden's Saab to purchase three fifth-generation A26-type submarines for the Polish Navy. The deal, signed in Gdynia on June 29, 2026, in the presence of both countries' prime ministers and defense ministers, includes deliveries scheduled by 2038 and a commitment to develop maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities in Poland. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated the submarines will deploy drone swarms to safeguard critical infrastructure and the Baltic Sea shoreline. Separately, Poland aims to urgently acquire the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland as a 'gap filler' to train sailors for Baltic operations. The contract is part of a broader modernization effort for Poland's historically underinvested Navy, which recently also purchased V-BAT drones from Shield AI.
Defense NewsSaab Receives Order for Three Type A26 Submarines for Poland
Swedish defense company Saab has signed a contract with the Polish armaments procurement agency for the production and delivery of three Type A26 submarines to Poland. The contract includes a comprehensive weapons package as well as training and support services. The order value is reported to be approximately 47 billion (likely Swedish kronor or euros, exact currency unspecified in the snippet). This deal marks a significant enhancement of Poland's naval capabilities and strengthens defense ties between Sweden and Poland within the European security framework. The submarines are expected to provide advanced stealth and strike capabilities for the Polish Navy.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikSaab receives order for three A26 submarines for Poland
Swedish defense company Saab has signed a contract with the Polish Armaments Agency for the production and delivery of three A26-type submarines. The contract includes a weapons package as well as training and support services. The total order value is approximately 47 billion (currency unspecified, likely Swedish kronor or euros). The submarines will be delivered to Poland, enhancing its naval capabilities. The deal underscores growing defense cooperation between Sweden and Poland amid regional security concerns. The order was reported by German defence news outlet Defence Network.
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikPoland Signs Record 'Orka' Submarine Contract; A26 Hailed as 'Underwater F-35s'
On June 29, 2026, Poland signed a historic contract with Sweden's Saab for the purchase of three A26-class submarines for the Polish Navy, marking the largest procurement in the navy's history. The agreement, signed aboard ORP Kościuszko in Gdynia, was described by Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz as finalizing a 30-year modernization program. He compared the A26 submarines to 'F-35s underwater' due to their stealth, drone-swarm capability, and advanced operational features. The contract, valued at nearly SEK 50 billion (PLN 20 billion, EUR 4.5 billion), includes a bridge solution whereby an armed A17 submarine will be provided to Poland from 2027 for crew training. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized the strengthening of bilateral relations, noting that Poland is Sweden's largest market in Central and Eastern Europe with over 700 Swedish companies employing 110,000 people. The deal also involves Poland acquiring the rescue vessel Ratownik and further Saab investments in Poland, creating new jobs and subcontracting opportunities for Polish firms.
Defence24.comPoland and Sweden Sign Landmark Orka Submarine Contract
On June 29, 2026, Poland and Sweden signed a historic contract in Gdynia for the purchase of three A26-class submarines for the Polish Navy, part of the long-running Orka program. The agreement was signed by Saab representative Mikael Johansson and Polish Armament Agency Deputy Head Michał Marciniak aboard ORP Kościuszko. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson attended, highlighting strengthened bilateral ties and a 'Baltic pact' in defense industry cooperation. The contract is valued at nearly SEK 50 billion (PLN 20 billion, EUR 4.5 billion). Polish Deputy Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz described the A26 as an 'underwater F-35' due to its advanced stealth and drone-swarming capabilities. As a bridge solution, Sweden will provide an armed A17 submarine to Poland from 2027, with crew training beginning in August 2026. The deal also includes Sweden's acquisition of the rescue vessel Ratownik and further Saab investment in Poland, marking the largest defense contract in Polish Navy history and reshaping Baltic security architecture.
Defence24.comRecord Contract Signed for Polish Orka Submarines; Minister Calls Them 'Underwater F-35s'
A historic contract for the purchase of three A26 submarines for the Polish Navy was signed in Gdynia aboard ORP Kościuszko. The agreement, valued at nearly SEK 50 billion (PLN 20 billion, EUR 4.5 billion), was signed by Saab and Poland's Armament Agency. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson both attended, highlighting unprecedented bilateral relations. Swedish PM noted 700 Swedish companies operate in Poland, employing 110,000 people. Polish Deputy PM and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz called the A26 an 'underwater F-35,' praising its stealth and drone-swarming capabilities. The deal also includes Sweden acquiring the rescue vessel Ratownik and Saab expanding in Poland. A temporary 'bridge' solution will see an armed A17 submarine available to Poland from 2027, with crew training starting as early as August 2026.
Defence24.comSaab receives order for three A26 submarines for Poland
Saab has signed a contract with the Polish State Treasury Armaments Agency for the production and delivery of three A26-type submarines, valued at approximately SEK 47 billion. The contract includes a weapon package, training, and support package. The submarines are designed for Baltic Sea operations with stealth and multi-domain capabilities. Saab will establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Poland to support strategic autonomy. Final deliveries are scheduled for 2038. Poland will also operate the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland as a gap filler under a separate agreement.
Naval NewsSaab receives order for three A26 submarines for Poland
Saab has signed a contract with the Polish State Treasury Armaments Agency to produce and deliver three A26-type submarines for Poland. The deal, valued at approximately SEK 47 billion, includes a weapon package, training, and support. The A26 submarines are designed for silent operations in the Baltic Sea, enhancing Poland's naval multi-domain capabilities. Saab will establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Poland to support strategic autonomy. Deliveries will continue through 2038, with Poland operating the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland as a gap filler under a separate agreement. The contract strengthens defense ties between Sweden and Poland.
Naval NewsSaab receives order for three A26 submarines for Poland
Saab has signed a contract with the Polish State Treasury Armaments Agency to produce and deliver three A26-type submarines for the Polish Navy. The order, valued at approximately SEK 47 billion, includes a weapon package, training, and support services. Deliveries will continue through 2038. The A26 submarine is designed for stealth operations in the Baltic Sea, supporting multi-domain naval operations. Saab will establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Poland to enhance strategic autonomy. Additionally, Poland will operate the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland as a gap filler under a separate agreement. The deal strengthens the strategic partnership between Sweden and Poland and bolsters Baltic Sea security.
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