One month after Polish Government and Swedish defense manufacturer Saab signed the contract for 3 A-26 air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines, the agreement has entered a refinement phase focused on an accelerated timeline.<\/p>\n
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Poland expects delivery of the first unit by 2031, with the possibility of acquiring the SK\u00c5NE\u2014currently under construction for the Swedish Navy\u2014as the second unit, followed by 2 additional boats in 2036 and 2038. The \u20ac4.3 billion package expands beyond platform procurement to include weapons systems integration and training support.<\/p>\n
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In recent announcements, Sweden confirmed it will lease the S\u00d6DERMANLAND to Polish Navy (Maryna Polska) for crew training. This transfer addresses an operational gap. Poland currently operates only the ORZEL, a KILO-877E class diesel-electric submarine commissioned in 1986 and heavily refurbished through 2024. The vessel suffered another propulsion casualty in late November 2025 and faces diminishing availability.<\/p>\n
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The S\u00d6DERMANLAND, though built between 1983 and 1990 as one of 4 V\u00c4STERG\u00d6TLAND-class units, has undergone radical modernization in 2 phases (2000\u20132010) and a further upgrade (2022\u20132024). These programs included new sensor suites, a Stirling Mk-3 AIP plant, and battery replacement. Access to cannibalizable spares from its sister ship \u00d6STERG\u00d6TLAND (in reserve since 2021) supports operations through the arrival of the first A-26. The lease allows Polish crews to gain AIP experience with sensors and weapons similar to those planned for the new submarines.<\/p>\n
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The procurement package includes an unspecified number of Type-62 (533-mm) and Type-47 (400-mm) torpedoes, with potential future addition of the Type-63 under development. A second-phase anti-ship and land-attack missile is under consideration, with the Kongsberg JSM-SL as a leading candidate.<\/p>\n
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Sweden plans to transfer the S\u00d6DERMANLAND by August, with Polish crews expected to conduct both training operations and Baltic surveillance missions amid the region’s ongoing Russian security threat.<\/p>\n
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In a related development, Poland and Sweden signed a joint tender agreement for a new submarine support and rescue vessel intended for the Swedish Navy. It will protect and survey Baltic underwater infrastructure. Poland is building the RATOWNIK (96 meters, 6,500 tons) with a flight deck for unmanned aerial vehicles and one AW-101 helicopter, extensive work spaces and storage for AUVs, UUVs, ROVs, and rescue minisubs. These capabilities make the Polish design a candidate to replace the BELOS, in Swedish service since 1992.<\/p>\n
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