Poland Selects Saab A26 Submarine from Sweden
Final Contract Expected by Second Quarter Next Year
Hanwha Ocean’s Bid with Jangbogo-III Falls Short
The Polish government has selected Swedish defense company Saab as the contractor for its new submarine acquisition project, valued at 8 trillion won.
According to Reuters and other sources, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced this decision on the 26th (local time) after a cabinet meeting, stating that the final contract is expected to be signed by the second quarter of next year at the latest. The value of this contract is estimated at approximately 10 billion zloty (about 4 trillion won).
He said, "Sweden made the best proposal in terms of all criteria, delivery schedule, and especially operational capability in the Baltic Sea," adding, "This decision will establish a new security infrastructure in the Baltic Sea." The Baltic Sea is a major route from Saint Petersburg, Russia to the Atlantic Ocean and a key corridor for Russian oil exports.
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and rising tensions across Europe, Poland has been pursuing the "Orka Project," an initiative to acquire three new 3,000-ton class submarines, with a total value of about 8 trillion won.
In addition to Saab of Sweden, global defense companies such as Hanwha Group of Korea, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany, Fincantieri of Italy, Navantia of Spain, and Naval Group of France also competed for this contract.
Saab, established in 1937, is Sweden's leading defense company, well-known for the Gripen fighter jet, NLAW anti-tank weapon, and Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle. According to local media outlet TVP, Saab's A26 Blekinge-class submarine, which the company describes as "the world's first fifth-generation submarine," is specifically designed for optimal operations in shallow waters like those of the Baltic Sea.
To secure the contract, Sweden also proposed to support the development of submarine maintenance capabilities at Polish shipyards and to purchase Polish-made weapons. Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz stated, "Sweden has also pledged to purchase Polish weapons."
Hanwha Ocean promoted its Jangbogo-III (KSS-III) submarine, highlighting its long-duration submersion capability using lithium-ion batteries, submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) integration technology, and shortened delivery times. However, it was unable to overcome the high entry barriers within Europe.
Meanwhile, foreign media have reported that the total project cost, including weapons system integration and lifecycle maintenance expenses, could reach 36 billion zloty (about 14.5 trillion won).
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