Poland selects Saab for Orka submarine program

Poland has selected the Swedish company Saab to provide submarines for the Orka program, aimed at modernizing the Polish Navy. The program involves the acquisition of three advanced vessels, with the first expected to enter service between 2031 and 2032. As part of the transition, Polish sailors have begun training in Sweden, and the leasing of the HMS Södermanland has been arranged as a gap filler.

In the competitive bidding process, six major international corporations participated. South Korean firm Hanwha Ocean attempted to secure the contract by offering to provide the ROKS Jang Bogo submarine to Poland free of charge in 2027 following a refit. Despite this offer, Saab's A26 Blekinge design was chosen.

Concurrently, the Gdańsk-based Remontowa Shipbuilding is playing a central role in Polish naval production. The shipyard is currently building three Kormoran II class minehunters, scheduled for delivery in 2026-2027. Additionally, Remontowa is acting as the main shipyard partner for Saab, constructing and equipping two electronic reconnaissance vessels, the Jerzy Różycki and Henryk Zygalski, which are expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2028.