Saab receives order to build three A-26 submarines for the Polish Navy

Saab has received the order to begin building the three new A-26 submarines for the Polish Navy, a programme that ranks among the European country’s largest naval modernisation projects. Signed with Poland’s State Treasury Armament Agency, the contract is worth approximately SEK 47 billion and covers the vessels as well as an armament package, training and logistical support, with phased deliveries continuing until 2038.

A strategic contract for the Polish Navy

The agreement formally launches the ORKA Programme after the Polish government chose Saab in 2025 as the supplier of its future attack submarines. At that stage, the company had not yet received a production order, as the two sides still needed to complete negotiations before proceeding to the final contract signature.

A-26 submarines have been developed to operate in the demanding conditions of the Baltic Sea. Their design focuses on acoustic stealth and the ability to remain undetected, while providing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and multidomain operational capabilities that will substantially expand the Polish Navy’s capacity.

Announcing the contract, Saab President and Chief Executive Officer Micael Johansson said: “We are deeply honoured that Poland has chosen Saab submarines to strengthen its defence capabilities and reinforce the strategic partnership between our two nations. The three A-26 submarines meet Poland’s current and future defence requirements and will play a vital role in strengthening security in the Baltic Sea region.”

Under the programme, Saab will also create maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Poland through close collaboration with local industry. The initiative is intended to build strategic autonomy for sustaining the future submarine fleet and lessen reliance on services provided abroad.

Training and transition to the new fleet

As construction progresses on the new A-26 submarines, Poland will operate the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland as an interim solution. This arrangement will allow the country to retain its submarine capability while the new vessels enter service, and will help crews adapt to the systems fitted aboard the future boats.

Training will begin at the Karlskrona naval base in Sweden, where Swedish specialists will instruct Polish submariners. Because of the complexity of the onboard systems, the first phase will focus on technical personnel. It will later be expanded to include modules covering submarine safety, rescue and the use of armaments.

The background to Sweden’s A-26 programme

Production for Poland will take place while Saab continues to build two A-26 Blekinge-class submarines for the Swedish Navy: HMS Blekinge and HMS Skåne. These vessels form the central programme for renewing Sweden’s submarine force, having been designed to supplement and subsequently replace the Gotland- and Västergötland-class submarines.

However, the Swedish programme has experienced repeated delays since the original contracts were signed in 2015. Although Saab has received additional orders from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to complete the final production phase and procure further materials, the latest projections place deliveries between 2031 and 2035 rather than within the original timetable. Experience gained during that process will serve as a reference for carrying out the Polish Navy contract, whose final deliveries are scheduled for 2038.