Poland is preparing to buy three Swedish A26 submarines in a move aimed at rebuilding its underwater capabilities and strengthening NATO deterrence in the Baltic Sea. The deal, part of the long‑delayed Orka program, will make Poland the second country after Sweden to operate the Blekinge‑class submarines. Captain Kenth Gutensparr, the Swedish Armed Forces’ project manager for the Polish‑Swedish submarine program, told TVP World’s World Talks that the A26 was designed for the Baltic’s challenging conditions but could also operate farther afield. Its Stirling air‑independent propulsion system is expected to allow prolonged submerged missions without surfacing or using a snorkel, giving the boats a major endurance advantage in shallow, contested waters, he said. Poland is expected to sign a deal for three Saab‑built A26 Blekinge‑class submarines under the Orka program, following a memorandum of understanding signed between Warsaw and Stockholm in December 2025. The agreement framework includes training, a “gap‑filler” submarine, and industrial cooperation between Swedish and Polish defense industries. Bridging the gap Polish technicians are scheduled to begin training in Karlskrona, a major naval base and shipyard on Sweden’s Baltic coast, in August, followed by instruction for crews in submarine safety, rescue procedures and weapons handling. Sweden also plans to lease Poland an A17‑class submarine, HMS Södermanland, as an interim solution until the new boats arrive, helping Polish sailors retain their underwater‑warfare skills as ORP Orzeł, the navy’s only operational Soviet‑era Kilo‑class submarine, approaches the end of its service life. Gutensparr said the future fleet would be more than a simple purchase of platforms. Working alongside Sweden’s planned A26 boats, it could strengthen NATO’s ability to monitor the Baltic, protect sea lanes and deter hostile activity below the surface, contributing to a new “security architecture” in the region built around Polish‑Swedish cooperation. The industrial package is expected to give Poland capabilities to maintain, repair and overhaul the submarines at home. Under the memorandum, Sweden has committed to involving Polish companies in the A26 supply chain, including using Polish‑produced parts and components for Swedish defense platforms as well. Gutensparr did not guarantee that the first Polish A26 would arrive by 2030, saying that the delivery timetable was ultimately a matter for Saab and the governments involved.
