**WARSAW, Poland** — The Polish Ministry of National Defence has chosen the A26 Blekinge submarine design from Sweden’s Saab for its new naval procurement. This decision comes following a competitive assessment involving six European and Asian contenders, as Poland plans to acquire three submarines for its navy, with a contract expected to be signed by the end of 2023.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister **Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz** announced this development during a press conference on **November 26, 2023**, stating, “This is a great day for the security of the Polish state, a great day for the Polish Navy.” He emphasized that Poland is fulfilling commitments under the Orka program to enhance its deterrence capabilities in the Baltic Sea, particularly in light of ongoing regional security challenges stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kosiniak-Kamysz intends to formalize an agreement with the Swedish government shortly. Over recent months, Polish delegations have engaged with officials from several countries, including **Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Spain**, and **South Korea**, evaluating submarine offers. A significant factor in the selection process was the willingness of the respective industries to collaborate with Polish defense companies.
The Polish government plans to equip the three A26 submarines with cruise missiles, with the first delivery anticipated in **2030**. Before the A26s are operational, Poland aims to procure a temporary ‘gap filler’ submarine for training purposes, expected to enter service by **2027**.
This procurement strategy involves financing through the European Union’s SAFE program, which has allocated **€43.7 billion ($50.7 billion)** in loans to Poland for arms purchases. Analysts estimate that the cost of the submarine acquisition may exceed the initially intended budget of **PLN 10 billion ($2.7 billion)**, but precise details regarding the level of Polish industry involvement remain uncertain.
Concerns have been raised regarding the delivery timeline of the A26 submarines, as there have been reported delays in Sweden’s production. Saab’s A26 is promoted as a fifth-generation submarine with advanced stealth capabilities, designed specifically for operation in the Baltic Sea.
Currently, the Polish Navy operates a single, outdated Soviet-era submarine, the **Kilo-class ORP Orzel**. As part of the procurement strategy, Saab is expected to work with PGZ Naval Shipyard, a subsidiary of Poland’s state-run defense group, during the acquisition process.
Micael Johansson, president and CEO of Saab, remarked, “The Swedish offer… will significantly enhance the operational capability of the Polish Navy and benefit the Polish economy.” Poland will be the second nation to order the A26 Blekinge submarines, following Sweden.
In related news, in **October 2025**, Saab received a substantial order from Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to manufacture and deliver components and services for two Blekinge-class submarines, valued at approximately **SEK 9.6 billion ($1 billion)**, with deliveries slated from **2026 to 2032**.
**Jaroslaw Adamowski** serves as the Poland correspondent for Defense News.
