Poland Selects Saab A26 Submarines to Replace Aging Kilo-Class Vessel
The Polish government has chosen Saab’s A26 submarines as successors to its only remaining Soviet-era Kilo-class vessel.
The Swedish A26 emerged as the preferred option from a field of six contenders, with proposals also submitted by France’s Naval Group, Germany’s thyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Italy’s Fincantieri, South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, and Spain’s Navantia.
Although no contract has been finalized, Warsaw intends to acquire three submarines under the Orca program in a deal expected to be worth around 10 billion Polish zloty ($2.52 billion).
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said they hope to conclude an intergovernmental agreement with Sweden on the purchase “within weeks.”
“Sweden presented the best offer according to…an objective analysis of all criteria, including delivery time, price, value, and operational capability, especially in the Baltic Sea basin,” Kosiniak-Kamysz was quoted as saying.
“Sweden’s offer was the only one that met all expectations.”
Another key requirement was the development of new skills within the Polish shipbuilding sector, with the minister noting that Sweden’s proposal was “the most far-reaching in terms of investments in the Polish arms industry, servicing, and repairs.”
Confirming the selection, Saab said that its proposal “includes cooperation with the Polish industry and knowledge transfer, securing a strategic partnership between Poland and Sweden.”
“The Swedish offer, featuring submarines tailored for the Baltic Sea, is the right choice for the Polish people,” President and CEO of Saab Micael Johansson said.
“It will significantly enhance the operational capability of the Polish Navy and benefit the Polish economy.”
A26 Submarine
The Blekinge-class vessel measures 65 meters (213 feet) in length and displaces around 2,000 tonnes (2,000,000 kilograms/4,409,245 pounds) on the surface.
It normally carries a crew of 26, with a capacity for up to 35 personnel, including special forces or additional passengers.
Powered by a Stirling air-independent propulsion system, the diesel-electric vessel can operate submerged for over 18 days and supports the deployment of unmanned underwater vehicles, and can conduct minelaying, intelligence gathering, anti-surface and anti-submarine operations, among other missions.
Its “extremely low” acoustic signature allows it to move undetected through sonar-heavy waters such as the Baltic Sea, functioning as a covert surveillance asset.
The A26 is armed with long-range precision torpedoes and missiles, enabling it to engage targets underwater, on the surface, and on land.
Its soft-kill capabilities include “underwater information warfare,” using electronic systems to disrupt enemy communications and sensor networks.
