Poland signs SEK 47 bln contract with Saab for three A26 submarines

Published on 28/07/2026 By Robin Häggblom In News

Artist impression of a Polish Navy A26 submarine. Saab image.

Following Poland’s order for Saab A26 submarines, Naval News breaks down the weapons package, undisclosed missile integration, HMS Södermanland lease, and 2031 delivery timelines.

The long-running Polish Orka submarine program has finally resulted in a firm order, with Saab contracted to produce and deliver three A26-type submarines (known as the Blekinge-class in Swedish service). The contract also includes a weapons package and a training and support package, with a total value of approximately SEK 47 billion (€4.26 billion). Deliveries are scheduled between 2031 and 2038.

The down-select took place in November last year, following a protracted process to find a replacement for Poland’s ageing submarine fleet, currently consisting of a single Project 877E Kilo-class submarine, Orzel. Orzel entered service in 1986 and holds the distinction of being the first Kilo-class submarine ever exported. The order not only covers the procurement of three Swedish-built submarines but is also part of a broader strategic cooperation, which includes several additional agreements.

HMS Södermanland Lease

These agreements include the lease of HMS Södermanland, an older A-17 class submarine originally launched as part of the four-strong Västergötland-class in the late 1980s. While Södermanland is of similar age to Orzel, it underwent a radical mid-life update in the early 2000s, during which it was lengthened and fitted with air-independent Stirling propulsion. Discussions about the possible transfer of Södermanland and its sister HMS Östergötland (since retired) to the Polish Navy as stop-gap submarines were held as early as 2019, but no agreement was reached at that time.

HSwMS Södermanland

HMS Södermanland. Photo: Försvarsmakten

Under the current agreement, training of Polish submariners will begin in August. Södermanland will also conduct operational missions in the Baltic Sea during the training period. This arrangement ensures that while the Swedish submarine fleet will temporarily drop to just three boats, a total of ten AIP-submarines will remain operational for NATO in the Baltic Sea (the other six being German Type 212A-class submarines).

Another key agreement was signed between Saab and Polish defence industry heavyweight PGZ. It establishes "the legal and organizational framework for Polish-Swedish cooperation in implementing the Coordinated Tender procedure for the acquisition of a submarine rescue vessel." Poland is currently building a new submarine rescue vessel as part of the Ratownik program — a 96-meter, 6,500-tonne design. With the Royal Swedish Navy’s rescue vessel HMS Belos showing its age, a Swedish order for either a sister vessel or a vessel sharing key technologies and subsystems would be a logical next step in bilateral cooperation in the underwater domain.

Poland’s A26 Delivery Timeline

The three Polish submarines will begin arriving in 2031, the same year Sweden expects delivery of the first of its two submarines, HMS Blekinge. Both HMS Blekinge and its sister HMS Skåne are currently under production at the shipyard in Karlskrona, as shown during Naval News’ visit to the yard last fall. Due to this tight schedule, Swedish Minister for Defence Pål Jonson has suggested that the second hull, HMS Skåne, could be diverted to become the first vessel for the Polish Navy.

Poland’s A26 Weapons Package

A notable detail emerged in an interview with Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri. Saab’s CEO Micael Johansson confirmed that the Polish submarines will be delivered with a weapons package that includes both light and heavy torpedoes. He also stated that Saab is under contract