Sweden's Saab Wins Major Polish Submarine Deal with A26 Design
- MM24 News Desk
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Swedish defense giant Saab has secured a major victory with Poland selecting its A26 diesel-electric submarine to replace the Polish Navy's aging Soviet-era fleet. The order for three A26 boats with advanced air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems marks the first export customer for Sweden's next-generation submarine design and represents a significant strategic partnership between the two NATO nations.
The Polish Ministry of Defense announced the decision after a competitive evaluation that included offers from France's Naval Group, Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, and several other international contenders. "We are honored to have been selected and look forward to the coming negotiations with the Armaments Agency in Poland," stated Micael Johansson, president and CEO of Saab. "The Swedish offer, featuring submarines tailored for the Baltic Sea, is the right choice for the Polish people."
What makes the A26 submarine particularly suited for Polish needs is its specific design optimization for the challenging Baltic Sea environment. This shallow, confined body of water with complex undersea topography requires submarines capable of covert operations in depths of less than 82 feet. The Swedish design heritage, refined through decades of Baltic operations, provides exactly this specialized capability that larger, ocean-going submarines lack.
The technological heart of the A26 is its Stirling-type air-independent propulsion system, the same technology that made Sweden's Gotland class submarines so influential. This system allows the submarine to remain submerged for reportedly more than 18 days without surfacing, providing a crucial stealth advantage. The AIP system burns liquid oxygen and diesel to drive electrical generators that can power the submarine or charge its batteries while underwater.
Beyond traditional submarine missions, the A26 represents a multirole platform capable of launching and recovering uncrewed underwater vessels (UUVs), conducting intelligence collection, minelaying, anti-surface warfare, and anti-submarine operations.
The design includes a Multi-Mission Portal—essentially an oversized torpedo tube—that can deploy special forces commandos directly into combat zones. With a standard crew of just 26 sailors but capacity for up to 35 additional personnel, the submarine can accommodate significant special operations teams.
The deal includes substantial industrial cooperation and technology transfer between Sweden and Poland, creating strategic benefits beyond mere equipment acquisition. For Saab, the Polish order provides crucial program momentum at a time when the A26 faces delays in its home country. The Royal Swedish Navy's two Blekinge class boats (based on the A26 design) have seen their delivery schedules pushed to 2031 and 2033 respectively, with costs escalating to approximately 2.3 billion Euros.
The A26 measures approximately 217 feet in length with a surfaced displacement of 2,122 tons. Its distinctive design features include a raked sail that flares outward at the top for improved stealth characteristics and an X-form rudder configuration that enhances maneuverability while reducing acoustic signature. The submarines also offer the option for vertical launch system (VLS) cells compatible with Tomahawk land-attack missiles, potentially giving Poland significant long-range strike capability.
For the Polish Navy, this acquisition represents a quantum leap in capability. The service has operated only a single Project 877E Kilo class submarine, the ORP Orzel, for many years. The age of this Soviet-era boat and the impossibility of obtaining spare parts from Russia have made its operational status questionable. The addition of three modern submarines will dramatically enhance Poland's underwater warfare capabilities at a time of heightened regional tensions.
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that "this decision strengthens Poland's security and the defense potential of the entire NATO eastern flank." The sentiment was echoed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who noted that "closer defense cooperation between Sweden and Poland benefits the security of the whole Baltic Sea region."
The submarine acquisition fits within Poland's massive military modernization program, described by the Polish Armed Forces as "one of the highest levels of defense spending in NATO." This includes 32 F-35A fighters, 250 Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tanks, 96 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, and comprehensive air defense systems—all responses to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
While the exact delivery timeline remains unclear, the three A26 submarines will fundamentally transform Poland's naval capabilities. The selection also positions Saab strongly in the competitive international submarine market, demonstrating that Swedish naval engineering remains at the forefront of conventional submarine technology, particularly for the demanding conditions of the Baltic Sea.
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