Saab said deliveries will take place continuously, with final deliveries scheduled during 2038. The Swedish Ministry of Defence said Sweden and Poland had successfully finalised negotiations on the procurement, describing the agreement as a significant step in strengthening Poland’s maritime capability and deepening bilateral cooperation on security and industrial policy.
The A26 submarine is designed for the demanding operational conditions of the Baltic Sea. Saab said it is engineered specifically to operate in complete silence and remain undetected.
The company said a submarine contributes significantly to naval multi-domain operations. It cited freedom of movement, stealth, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities as key elements of that role.
“We are deeply honoured that Poland has chosen Saab’s submarines to bolster its defence capabilities and strengthen the strategic partnership between our two nations. The three A26 submarines meet Poland’s current and future defence requirements and will play a pivotal role in enhancing security in the Baltic Sea region,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
Under the agreement, Poland will lease the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland until 2032. The Swedish Ministry of Defence said this will allow Poland to reinforce its operational underwater capacity while awaiting delivery of the new submarines.
Sweden has also committed to supporting Poland’s New Type Submarine programme from approximately 2027 to 2038, with an option to extend. The support will include Poland’s participation in Sweden’s test and experiment activities with the HMS Blekinge and HMS Skåne A26 submarines.
The ministry said this arrangement will create conditions to accelerate the build-up of Poland’s operational capacity. Training of Polish submarine crews will begin in August, earlier than previously planned.
Sweden has significantly expanded training capacity to meet Poland’s needs. The ministry said this is the most extensive submarine-related training and support initiative that the Swedish Navy has ever implemented, in both scope and timeframe.
“This Swedish-Polish submarine cooperation will enhance competitiveness and economic growth and create thousands of jobs in both countries,” says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The Swedish Ministry of Defence said maritime cooperation is central to the Baltic Sea Pact launched by Sweden and Poland during government-level talks on 29 June.
The pact will be developed around three pillars: security and defence policy cooperation, military cooperation and defence industry cooperation. Its objective is to strengthen security in the Baltic Sea region and constrain Russia’s ability to expand its power and inflict harm, jointly as NATO Allies.
“As close partners on the Baltic Sea, Sweden and Poland will deepen their cooperation to strengthen security throughout the region. Our cooperation rests on a common view of the long-term threat that Russia constitutes and the importance of continuing to support Ukraine,” adds Mr Kristersson.
“Poland’s choice of the A26 is based on the submarines’ unique characteristics, specifically developed for the challenging conditions of the Baltic Sea,” says Minister for Defence Pål Jonson. “The shallow waters, complex seabed structures and limited operational space place high demands on stealth, manoeuvrability and endurance – areas in which the A26 offers advanced solutions,” he adds.
“The ties between Sweden and Poland are stronger than ever, and the agreement signed today is clear evidence of that. In light of the serious geopolitical situation, this is a crucial step for security in the Baltic Sea region,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard.
To support the contract and the Polish Navy’s operation of the submarines, Saab said it is committed to establishing maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities in Poland. The company said this work will be carried out in close collaboration with Polish industry and will support strategic autonomy for Poland.
