Sweden to lease HMS Södermanland submarine to Poland

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Armed Forces have signed an agreement to lease the HMS Södermanland submarine to Poland. This arrangement serves as a bridge for the Polish Navy while it awaits the delivery of three new A26-class submarines, which are scheduled to be delivered between 2031 and 2038 under the Orka program.

The agreement includes technical support, equipment, weaponry, and comprehensive training for Polish crews and support personnel. Training for approximately thirty Polish military members began in August at the naval base in Karlskrona. The 18-month training program covers general safety, survival, emergency procedures such as fire and flood response, and specific technical operations of the A17-class vessel.

This transition is intended to modernize Poland's undersea capabilities as it moves away from its current reliance on the Soviet-era ORP Orzeł, a Kilo-class submarine. The lease is part of a broader procurement strategy involving Saab Defence and Security to upgrade Poland's maritime defense infrastructure.