Poland Selects Sweden's Saab for New Submarine Acquisition Project Worth 8 Trillion Won
On November 27, the Office of the President commented on the selection of Sweden's defense company Saab, rather than a Korean company, as the participant in Poland's new submarine acquisition project, stating, "The government respects Poland's decision and will continue to maintain and strengthen defense industry cooperation as before."
The Polish government has selected Swedish defense company Saab as the contractor for its new submarine acquisition project, which is valued at approximately 8 trillion won. According to Reuters and other sources, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz announced this decision after a cabinet meeting on the 26th (local time), 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 to be around 10 billion zloty (approximately 4 trillion won).
He stated, "Sweden made the best offer in terms of all criteria and delivery schedules, especially regarding operational capabilities in the Baltic Sea," adding, "This decision will establish a new security infrastructure in the Baltic Sea." The Baltic Sea serves as a major gateway for Saint Petersburg, Russia, to access the Atlantic Ocean and is a key route for Russian oil exports.
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and rising tensions across Europe, Poland has been pursuing the "Orka Project" to acquire three new 3,000-ton class submarines, a project valued at around 8 trillion won.
In addition to Sweden's Saab, global defense industry giants such as South Korea's Hanwha Group, Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), Italy's Fincantieri, Spain's Navantia, and France's Naval Group also competed for this contract.
Saab, established in 1937, is Sweden's leading defense company, well known for the Gripen fighter jet, the NLAW anti-tank weapon, and the 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 operation in shallow waters such as those found in the Baltic Sea.
To secure the contract, Sweden also proposed supporting the development of submarine maintenance capabilities at Polish shipyards and offered to purchase Polish-made weapons. Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz stated, "Sweden has also promised to purchase Polish weapons."
Hanwha Ocean promoted its Jangbogo-III (KSS-III) submarine, highlighting its long-duration submerged capability using lithium-ion batteries, its technology for equipping SLBMs (submarine-launched ballistic missiles), 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 costs, could reach up to 36 billion zloty (approximately 14.5 trillion won).
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