Polish entities have already been integrated into the supply chain established by Saab for the construction of A26 Blekinge-class submarines, which are also being offered to the Polish Navy under the “Orka” programme.
One of them is Base Group, based in Koszwały near Gdańsk, which supplies metal structures for the Swedish fleet’s strategic programme. A significant part of these deliveries consists of specialised welded constructions, which require precision and the highest quality standards. The detailed scope of cooperation remains confidential due to the counterintelligence regime associated with the A26 submarine production.
However, Base Group’s cooperation with the Swedish defence concern did not start yesterday – it has lasted for several years. The first agreement – the one that brought the Polish company into the supplier ecosystem for the new submarines – was signed in 2017. Over the following years, Polish-Swedish cooperation evolved significantly, and today Base Group works with Saab on several advanced projects. Reportedly, these projects go far beyond the original scope of the partnership.
“Base Group has been part of the A26 programme since 2017, when the first contract was signed. Since then, over the years, Base Group and Saab have developed a strong partnership. The Polish company has become a business partner that Saab can rely on. Base Group understands Saab’s requirements and demonstrates that it can implement not only our requirements but also those of our clients. Thanks to this, we are confident the product will meet expectations. Saab sees Base Group as an important element in the A26 submarine programme’s supply chain, also in the future,” says Jesper Appelberg, Director Strategic Sourcing Saab Kockums.
The high regard in which Saab holds Base Group is clearly demonstrated by the fact that the company has been named “Supplier of the Year 2025”. This special award is given to suppliers within Saab’s cooperation network who deliver products and services of particularly high quality. When assessing partners, the Swedish management also considered several other factors, such as delivery timeliness, quality of communication, and flexibility in executing contracts.
“Cooperation with Saab means much more to us than a supplier-client relationship. Together, we have developed a long-term business relationship based on mutual trust, openness, and collaboration,” said Jakub Kaszuba, CEO of Base Group. “We feel that we are jointly creating solutions that truly matter. We act not only as a supplier but also as an active advisor, sharing our knowledge and experience to jointly develop optimal solutions. This synergy makes our cooperation with Saab long-term and strategic, which we value highly.”
The company emphasises that the trust gained in defence sector projects is the result of many years of experience and consistent investment in infrastructure and team competencies.
“We are a battle-tested supplier of high-quality welded structures and industrial equipment,” underlined Jakub Kaszuba. “Our products are used in the most demanding projects, where reliability, precision, and quality are crucial.”
Base Group grows through cooperation with Saab
The management of Base Group notes that establishing cooperation with a globally operating Swedish company has significantly influenced both the company’s development and the growth of its brand.
“Thanks to this cooperation, we entered a new, demanding market and gained valuable experience in executing high-quality, high-tech projects in the defence industry,” said Jakub Kaszuba, CEO of Base Group. “Engagement in such technologically advanced undertakings allowed us to significantly improve our team’s competencies, streamline production processes, and implement even stricter quality control and information security procedures,” he added.
Cooperation with Saab enabled Base Group to reach a new level in its operations. This concerns both the technologies and services offered by the company, as well as the enhanced competencies of the team, its market position, and its reputation as a trusted partner in the defence sector. All this directly translates into new competitive advantages, enabling the company to compete effectively in the defence market. Base Group has been working with foreign partners for many years, including other globally recognised companies, and has gained extensive experience in delivering projects for large international organisations.
The company is currently implementing the “Factory of the Future” project – a modern production facility designed to meet the needs of the defence sector, based on automation and digitalisation of metal products and industrial equipment manufacturing processes.
Phase I of the “Factory of the Future” is planned for completion in Q4 2025. The investment aims to significantly increase the scalability and flexibility of Base Group’s production capabilities and further strengthen the company’s position as a supplier to the defence sector.
The high quality of Base Group’s products, the company’s flexibility, and its customer-oriented approach have been recognised across the Baltic. Today, cooperation with Saab goes far beyond the A26 Blekinge submarine construction programme.
“Orka” programme – an opportunity for Polish industry
According to previous announcements from representatives of the Polish Ministry of National Defence and the Navy, the programme to acquire new submarines is expected to exceed €3 billion. This amount refers only to construction and commissioning. Maintenance, repairs, servicing, and modernisation over the lifespan of the vessels could double this figure. The Polish government aims to ensure that as much of this investment as possible benefits domestic companies, supporting the national economy and bringing in new technologies to the defence and shipbuilding sectors.
The existing cooperation between Base Group and Saab demonstrates the vast economic potential of the “Orka” programme. Polish companies that establish partnerships with the future supplier of new submarines for the Navy stand to make significant developmental strides and secure strong positions in the global strategic maritime supply chain. Considering the overall value of the undertaking, which runs into billions of euros, industrial cooperation and its scope should become the subject of particularly careful negotiations between Poland and the company selected to build the submarines for the Polish Navy.
