Poland has finalized a significant agreement with Saab for the acquisition of three A26 conventional submarines, a critical move to modernize its naval capabilities. This substantial multi-billion dollar investment aims to replace the nation's aging Soviet-era Kilo-class fleet, providing a significant upgrade in undersea warfare capacity and operational reach. The deal encompasses a comprehensive weapons package and robust training support, with deliveries scheduled through the late 2030s.
This strategic procurement underscores a broader trend of NATO allies enhancing their defensive postures along the Eastern Flank and within the critical Baltic Sea region. The acquisition reflects a decisive commitment to bolstering regional maritime security and projecting deterrence against evolving geopolitical challenges.
MILAN — Saab has finalized a SEK 47 billion ($4.8 billion) contract with the Polish government for the production of three Swedish-made A26 submarines intended to replace the country’s Soviet-era Kilo-class submarines.
The Swedish company announced the long-awaited deal seven months after Poland officially selected Saab’s offer over a multitude of pan-European contenders.
The contract includes a weapon package and a training-support element with final deliveries planned for 2038.
“It is a very large and long-term deal — it will make the Polish Navy one of the strongest in all of NATO. A strong Polish submarine force strengthens security in our shared Baltic Sea and across the alliance,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on X.
He added that “hundreds” of Polish companies are set to become new subcontractors to Saab, with the Linköping-based company investing up to €100 million ($114 million) in Poland.
“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,” Micael Johansson, president and CEO of Saab, said in a statement. “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.”
The A26 submarines are equipped with long-range precision strike torpedoes and offer the possibility to also carry submarine-launched missiles to engage targets both at sea and on land, according to Saab’s promotional material.
The company advertises the watercraft as having an “extremely-low” acoustic signature, far lower than the frequency ranges of traditional submarines.
Editorial Analysis
The decision by Poland to invest in Saab's A26 submarines represents a pivotal enhancement of its strategic naval assets, directly impacting the balance of power in the Baltic Sea. Replacing the outdated Kilo-class vessels with highly advanced conventional submarines, characterized by their "extremely-low" acoustic signature, introduces a formidable new layer of deterrence. This stealth capability is crucial in contested waters, allowing for clandestine intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare, and precision strike operations against both naval and land targets, leveraging torpedoes and potential submarine-launched missiles. The long-term delivery schedule underscores a methodical approach to defense modernization, ensuring a sustainable build-up of capabilities rather than an immediate emergency response.
This move also highlights a broader regional trend among NATO and allied nations in Northern Europe: a renewed focus on maritime security and undersea warfare capabilities in response to an increasingly assertive geopolitical environment. Historically, the Baltic Sea has been a critical strategic theater, and modernizing naval fleets with advanced, quiet submarines like the A26 aligns with a strategy of denial and layered defense. Furthermore, Saab's commitment to substantial industrial investment within Poland fosters closer bilateral defense ties and strengthens the European defense industrial base, promoting interoperability and shared security interests for decades to come.
