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The Swedish company Saab has been awarded a contract to supply three A26-class submarines to the Polish Navy. The deal is valued at approximately $4.9 billion – one of the largest defense contracts in the company’s history. In addition to the submarines themselves, the agreement includes the supply of a weapons package, personnel training, and long-term technical support. The first submarines are scheduled to be delivered gradually throughout the production cycle, with the third and final vessel set to be delivered to the customer in 2038.
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The A26 submarine is designed for covert operations in the waters of the Baltic Sea, where shallow depths and heavy shipping traffic make it particularly difficult to detect a submarine. According to the developers, this submarine is capable of operating silently while carrying out reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat naval operations.
The contract also provides for expanded cooperation between Sweden and Poland beyond mere shipbuilding: Saab, in partnership with Polish companies, will establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Poland, ensuring long-term support for the fleet.
Saab President and CEO Mikael Johansson stated that the company is deeply grateful that Poland has chosen Swedish submarines to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities and deepen the strategic partnership between the two nations. According to him, the three A26 submarines meet Poland’s current and future defense needs and will play a key role in strengthening security in the Baltic Sea region.
In addition to the new submarines, Poland will temporarily operate the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland under a separate agreement between the governments of the two countries – it will serve as an interim solution until the new A26 fleet is commissioned. The extended delivery schedule is due to the complexity of modern submarine construction: deliveries will take place in phases, culminating in the handover of the final vessel in 2038.
Conventional submarines such as the A26 remain a vital component of maritime strategy, as they are capable of operating for extended periods in coastal waters with a low acoustic signature. Their ability to conduct surveillance, gather intelligence, and deter potential adversaries makes them particularly valuable in strategically tense regions, such as the Baltic Sea.
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