One month after Polish Government and Swedish defense manufacturer Saab signed the contract for 3 A-26 air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines, the agreement has entered a refinement phase focused on an accelerated timeline.
Poland expects delivery of the first unit by 2031, with the possibility of acquiring the SKÅNE—currently under construction for the Swedish Navy—as the second unit, followed by 2 additional boats in 2036 and 2038. The €4.3 billion package expands beyond platform procurement to include weapons systems integration and training support.
In recent announcements, Sweden confirmed it will lease the SÖDERMANLAND to Polish Navy (Maryna Polska) for crew training. This transfer addresses an operational gap. Poland currently operates only the ORZEL, a KILO-877E class diesel-electric submarine commissioned in 1986 and heavily refurbished through 2024. The vessel suffered another propulsion casualty in late November 2025 and faces diminishing availability.
The SÖDERMANLAND, though built between 1983 and 1990 as one of 4 VÄSTERGÖTLAND-class units, has undergone radical modernization in 2 phases (2000–2010) and a further upgrade (2022–2024). These programs included new sensor suites, a Stirling Mk-3 AIP plant, and battery replacement. Access to cannibalizable spares from its sister ship ÖSTERGÖTLAND (in reserve since 2021) supports operations through the arrival of the first A-26. The lease allows Polish crews to gain AIP experience with sensors and weapons similar to those planned for the new submarines.
The procurement package includes an unspecified number of Type-62 (533-mm) and Type-47 (400-mm) torpedoes, with potential future addition of the Type-63 under development. A second-phase anti-ship and land-attack missile is under consideration, with the Kongsberg JSM-SL as a leading candidate.
Sweden plans to transfer the SÖDERMANLAND by August, with Polish crews expected to conduct both training operations and Baltic surveillance missions amid the region's ongoing Russian security threat.
In a related development, Poland and Sweden signed a joint tender agreement for a new submarine support and rescue vessel intended for the Swedish Navy. It will protect and survey Baltic underwater infrastructure. Poland is building the RATOWNIK (96 meters, 6,500 tons) with a flight deck for unmanned aerial vehicles and one AW-101 helicopter, extensive work spaces and storage for AUVs, UUVs, ROVs, and rescue minisubs. These capabilities make the Polish design a candidate to replace the BELOS, in Swedish service since 1992.
Privacy Policy
Powered by © Mobilbyte s.a.s. Information Technology