Swedish defense company Saab recently announced that it has signed a contract with the Polish State Treasury Armaments Agency and received an order for the production and delivery of three A26-type submarines. The contract also encompasses a weapon package and a training- and support package. The order value corresponds to approximately SEK 47 billion. Saab will deliver continuously with the final deliveries scheduled during 2038.
Saab’s A26 submarine is designed to meet the demanding operational conditions of the Baltic Sea and engineered specifically to operate in complete silence and remain undetected. A submarine significantly contributes to naval Multi Domain Operations through its freedom of movement, stealth and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
“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. 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,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
To support the contract and the Polish Navy´s operation of the submarines, Saab is committed to establishing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Poland in close collaboration with Polish industry, thereby supporting strategic autonomy for Poland.
Poland will operate the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland as a gap filler stated in a separate agreement between Poland and Sweden.
The Polish government had previously selected Saab as the final contractor for its submarine program in November 2025. Other shipbuilders that participated in the defense tender included South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, Germany’s TKMS, Italy’s Fincantieri, Spain’s Navantia, and France’s Naval Group.
The A26-class submarine offered to Poland is specifically designed to operate in the demanding environment of the Baltic Sea; it features engineering aimed at achieving “fully silent” operation and incorporates “Ghost” technology to enhance stealth capabilities. With its superior maneuverability, stealth, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, this class of submarine will make a significant contribution to the Polish Navy’s multi-domain operations.
The development cycle for the A26-class submarine has been exceptionally long. Planning for the project began in the 1990s, and delivery dates for the initial Swedish submarines have been repeatedly postponed; they are currently expected to be delivered in 2031. As an “interim solution” for Poland, Sweden is providing the Polish Navy with access to the “HMS Södermanland”, a previous-generation submarine equipped with an early version of the Stirling engine.