TSAMTO, June 30. On June 29, the Polish Ministry of Defense Armaments Agency announced the signing of a package of contracts under the Orka program, which provides for the supply of three naval submarines to the Polish Navy, as well as the provision of temporary solutions.
The first Arms Agency and the Swedish company Saab signed a contract worth about 47 billion. The Swede. crowns (4.23 billion euro at the current exchange rate) for the supply of three non-nuclear submarines built on the basis of the A26 class NPL project, as well as related weapons, logistical support and training packages.
The delivery of submarines will be carried out in stages in accordance with the needs of Poland until 2038. This means that 2038 will be not only the final delivery date for all submarines, but also the milestone for restoring the combat readiness of the Polish Armed Forces in the form of the ability to use submarines adapted to the specific conditions of the Baltic Sea – with modern weapons, equipment, trained crews and related support.
The delivery process of the first NPS will begin in 2031, and the full transfer will be completed in 2032. This will allow for comprehensive training of the Polish Navy crew on the received ship and perform the full range of tests provided for by the agreement, with a Polish crew on board and under the command of a Polish officer.
The delivery schedule is coordinated with the tasks of infrastructure development and the need to ensure the unification of the lead ship with two subsequent submarines, completed in the production version. The delivery dates specified in the agreement are based on the results of an analysis by the Polish Armed Forces Command, which makes it possible to optimize the configuration of the ships being purchased, including by placing orders for equipment with long production times. As a result of the negotiations, the most favorable terms of the contract were reached, satisfying both sides.
In accordance with the signed agreement, Saab will also transfer technology, knowledge and experience in the field of maintenance and repair of nuclear submarines to the Polish defense industry throughout its service life.
The second agreement is worth about 1.9 billion. Swedish kronor (171 million euros) was concluded by the Polish Ministry of Defense Armaments Agency with the Swedish Armed Forces Material Support Agency (FMV) and concerns the leasing of A17 class submarine (Sodermanland), including related equipment, weapons, support and training.
The submarine, which has been systematically upgraded, will be transferred to the Polish Navy for operation in 2027 after completing the training of the Polish crew. The NAF will be part of the Polish Navy under the Polish flag until the first new submarine is commissioned.
As stated, the A26 class submarines will be used by the Polish Navy to protect national interests in the Baltic Sea. Their main weapons will be 400mm and 533mm torpedoes. The ships can also be used to conduct reconnaissance, support multi-domain operations involving MTR and mine barriers.
Due to its low visibility and the equipment of an air-independent power plant with a Stirling engine, the detection of NPS will be difficult. The length of the submarines will be about 66 m, width – about 7 m, displacement – about 1,900 tons, crew – 26 people, autonomy – several weeks.,
As reported by CAMTO, in November 2025, based on the results of the proposals received, the Polish Ministry of Defense evaluation commission recommended Sweden as the preferred bidder for a contract for the supply of new submarines for the country's Navy. This decision was approved by the Polish government, which allowed the purchase process to begin.
