Poland has signed a contract with Swedish defence giant Saab for three A26 (Blekinge-class) submarines, marking one of the largest arms deals in the country’s history. The agreement, worth over 18 billion zloty, also includes a lease of a used Swedish vessel to bridge the gap until the first new unit arrives in 2031-32.
The contract between the Polish Armaments Agency and Saab was sealed on Monday in Gdynia during the first Polish-Swedish intergovernmental consultations, attended by Prime Ministers Donald Tusk and Ulf Kristersson. The total value of the signed agreements reaches nearly 49 billion Swedish kronor (about 19 billion zloty), covering the submarines, armament, logistics, and training packages.
Under the deal, Poland will receive the submarines in stages. The first vessel is expected between 2031 and 2032, allowing time for crew training and sea trials under Polish command. Delivery of all three units and full operational capability in the underwater domain is scheduled for 2038, which is also linked to infrastructure projects.
A strategic leap for the Baltic
– We are doing all this for our children and grandchildren, so that our region, both our states, and the Baltic Sea remain an area of peace and security, not, as is the case today, an area of unrest and threats – said Prime Minister Donald Tusk during the ceremony. He added that the Polish-Swedish cooperation in the Baltic has qualitatively changed the security situation.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasised that relations with Poland are the best in history, deeper and stronger than ever. – Poland is Sweden’s largest market in Central and Eastern Europe. Over 700 Swedish companies operate here, employing 10,000 people. In the last ten years, trade turnover between our countries has doubled – he listed.
Industrial cooperation and technology transfer
The Armaments Agency also signed a separate agreement with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the lease of a Södermanland-class submarine (type A17), valued at about 1.9 billion Swedish kronor (over 700 million zloty). This gap-filler will be handed over to Poland in 2027 after the Polish crew completes training, and will serve until the first new submarine enters service.
Saab will transfer technology and know-how to Polish industry in the areas of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) for the entire lifecycle of the vessels, ensuring Poland’s independence in servicing and modernising them. A memorandum was signed with state-owned Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) to establish a special purpose vehicle for repair and support capabilities.
Additionally, a letter of intent between WB Group and Saab outlines cooperation on unmanned reconnaissance-strike systems, including the Gladius system, which may be adapted for Swedish armed forces. The financing of the Orka contract is mixed, with funds from the state budget and the Armed Forces Support Fund, backed by a guarantee from the Swedish Export Credit Agency (EKN).
The signing follows the announcement in November 2025 that Sweden’s offer had won a competitive tender, beating five other proposals from France, Spain, South Korea, Germany (with Norway), and Italy. The deal also includes broader defence collaboration, such as the purchase of Polish Piorun anti-aircraft systems worth 1.16 billion zloty, and the construction of a rescue vessel for Sweden under the Ratownik programme.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. PAP/Marcin Gadomski
