Sweden and Poland have concluded negotiations on Poland\u2019s purchase of three A26 submarines from Saab. <\/p>\n
This agreement is a significant step in strengthening Poland\u2019s maritime capability, while also helping the countries deepen their collaboration on security and industrial policy, News.Az<\/a> reports, citing Government Offices of Sweden.<\/a><\/p>\n Under the agreement, Poland<\/a> will lease the Swedish HMS S\u00f6dermanland submarine until 2032. This solution will enable Poland to rapidly reinforce its operational underwater capacity while awaiting the delivery of the new submarines.<\/p>\n Sweden has also committed to providing support to the New Type Submarine (NTS) programme from approximately 2027 to 2038, with an option to extend. This support will include Poland\u2019s participation in Sweden\u2019s test and experiment activities with the HMS Blekinge and HMS Sk\u00e5ne A26 submarines, which will create conditions to accelerate the build-up of Poland\u2019s operational capacity.<\/p>\n \u201cThis Swedish-Polish submarine cooperation will enhance competitiveness and economic growth and create thousands of jobs in both countries,\u201d says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.\u00a0<\/p>\n Maritime cooperation is at the heart of the work related to the Baltic Sea Pact \u2013 the deepened bilateral security and defence cooperation that Sweden and Poland launched in conjunction with government-level talks on 29 June. The Pact will be developed based on three pillars: cooperation on security and defence policy, military cooperation, and defence industry cooperation. The objective is to strengthen security in the Baltic Sea region and constrain Russia\u2019s ability to expand its power and inflict harm, jointly as NATO Allies.<\/p>\n \u201cAs 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,\u201d adds Mr Kristersson.<\/p>\n Training of Polish submarine crews will begin in August, earlier than previously planned. Meanwhile, training capacity has been significantly expanded to meet Poland\u2019s needs. This is the most extensive submarine-related training and support initiative that the Swedish Navy has ever implemented, in terms of both scope and timeframe.<\/p>\n \u201cPoland\u2019s choice of the A26 is based on the submarines\u2019 unique characteristics, specifically developed for the challenging conditions of the Baltic Sea,\u201d says Minister for Defence P\u00e5l Jonson. \u201cThe shallow waters, complex seabed structures and limited operational space place high demands on stealth, manoeuvrability and endurance \u2013 areas in which the A26 offers advanced solutions,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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,\u201d says Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard.<\/p>\n