Saab has today 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.
“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.
The A26 type is the next generation of submarines developed by Kockums for the Swedish Navy. It is also known as the Blekinge-class submarine. The new submarine would have blue water capability, something earlier Swedish submarines have lacked. It will be equipped with modified AIP stirling propulsion and GHOST (Genuine HOlistic STealth) technology, making the submarine extremely quiet. It will also be designed to withstand significant shock loads from underwater explosions and would be able to “launch and recover vehicles” through its torpedo tubes.
A submarine significantly contributes to naval Multi Domain Operations through its freedom of movement, stealth and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. 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 Polish Navy. Poland will operate the Swedish submarine HMS Södermanland as a gap filler stated in a separate agreement between Poland and Sweden.
